Chicago Bears 2017 opponents and strength of schedule

Now that the 2016 season is in the books, and us Chicago Bears’ fans have no playoff games to intently watch, let’s take a peek at the Bears’ opponents for the 2017 season. The actual schedule with dates and times will drop in the spring, but here are the 16 games the Bears will play.

HOME

Detroit Lions*, Green Bay Packers*, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons*, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers*, San Francisco 49ers

AWAY

Detroit Lions*, Green Bay Packers*, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles

*Denotes a 2017 playoff team.

The Bears play the NFC South and the AFC North for the rotating portion of their schedule, and they play the Eagles and the 49ers because all three teams finished in 4th place in their respective divisions.

Seven of the Bears’ 2017 opponents won nine or more games, and an opponent winning percentage of .479 (122-133-1) places Chicago’s strength of schedule at 19th.

The other NFC North teams have a strength of schedule as follows; Green Bay’s opponent winning percentage is .480 (122-132-2) for a s.o.s. of 18th, Detroit faces opponents that went 119-135-2 (.469) for a s.o.s. of 21st, and the Vikings opponent winning percentage is .453 (115-139-2) for a s.o.s. of 27th.