On paper, Bears schedule not too bad

August, 25, 2011
8/25/11
3:10
PM CT
By Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
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Matthew StaffordAndrew Weber/US PresswireWith Matthew Stafford healthy, the Lions could be a formidable opponent.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Calling the Bears' 2011 schedule difficult might be somewhat of a stretch, based on the winning percentage of the club’s upcoming opponents.

The upcoming regular-season schedule consists of opponents that combined for a record of 128-128 in 2010, including seven teams coming off playoff appearances. Still, 17 teams around the league play a more difficult schedule, including all of the Bears’ NFC North foes.

The Lions play the league’s fourth-toughest schedule, facing opponents that combined for a 133-123 record, including seven 2010 playoff participants. The Minnesota Vikings own the league’s 12-most difficult schedule, followed by the Green Bay Packers at No. 13.

The truth, however, is that records from the previous year typically don’t matter.

After all, five teams -- the Falcons, Bears, Chiefs, Steelers and Seahawks -- advanced to the playoffs in 2010 after being shut out of the postseason the previous year. That’s actually happened in each of the last 15 years.

Michael C. Wright | email

Chicago Bears beat reporter
Wright joined ESPNChicago in April 2010 after spending the previous four seasons covering the Jaguars. He also covered the Redskins for two seasons. A native Texan, Wright was a four-year football letterman at West Texas A&M University.
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Michael C. Wright

Wright joined ESPNChicago in April 2010 after spending the previous four seasons covering the Jaguars. He also covered the Redskins for two seasons. A native Texan, Wright was a four-year football letterman at West Texas A&M University.

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