W1: Sun., Sept. 9 vs. Indianapolis

The Bears’ veteran defense will look to teach rookie quarterback Andrew Luck a lesson. Luck is expected to be at the helm for a Colts team that holds the No. 1 overall selection in the draft. Indianapolis should take plenty of lumps early in the post-Peyton Manning era.

Dickerson

(1-0)

Wright

(1-0)

W2: Thu., Sept. 13 at Green Bay

The road to the NFC North title still goes through Lambeau Field, where the Bears last won a game in 2007. Can the Bears’ defense find a way to contain Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and all those weapons? Rodgers posted a 142.7 QB rating against the Bears on Christmas night.

Dickerson

(1-1)

Wright

(1-1)

W3: Sun., Sept. 23 vs. St. Louis

New St. Louis general manager Les Snead pulled off a mega-trade with Washington which should position the Rams quite nicely in the years to come. However, Snead and new head coach Jeff Fisher will need time to turn around a 2-14 squad, which plays into the Bears’ hands.

Dickerson

(2-1)

Wright

(2-1)

W4: Mon., Oct. 1 at Dallas

Two of the marquee teams in the county meet for the third time in the past six years. The Bears were not in awe of the enormous video screens when they played in new Cowboys Stadium back in 2010, beating the Cowboys 27-20 as Jay Cutler threw for 3 touchdowns and posted a QB rating of 136.7.

Dickerson

(3-1)

Wright

(3-1)

W5: Sun., Oct. 7 at Jacksonville

The first visit to Jacksonville for the Bears since 2004. Let’s just say the quarterback position is in much better shape than it was in Lovie Smith’s first year in Chicago. Tough to find a compelling angle in this one, unless Bears fans are bitter defensive end Jeremy Mincey opted to stay with the Jags instead of signing with the Bears in free agency.

Dickerson

(4-1)

Wright

(4-1)

BYE

W6: Sun., Oct. 14

W7: Mon., Oct. 22 vs. Detroit

The Bears’ 37-13 home victory over Detroit was one of the top highlights of 2011, a game that also featured an on-field scuffle when D.J. Moore punched Matthew Stafford in the head after the Lions QB pulled the Bears defender down to the ground by his facemask. Emotions figure to run high every time these two teams meet moving forward.

Dickerson

(5-1)

Wright

(5-1)

W8: Sun., Oct. 28 vs. Carolina

Carolina QB Cam Newton gave the Bears all they could handle in Week 4 last season. Newton and the upstart Panthers are expected to take the next step in 2012 and challenge for a spot in the playoffs. The teams combined to score 63 points in their previous battle at Soldier Field. It might also be a high number this time around.

Dickerson

(5-2)

Wright

(6-1)

W9: Sun., Nov. 4 at Tennessee

Nashville feels like home for several of the players on the Bears with connections to Vanderbilt. Titans were an under-the-radar team last season, but will probably play the Bears tough at home. Still, just seems as if the Bears have the superior talent.

Dickerson

(6-2)

Wright

(7-1)

W10: Sun., Nov. 11 vs. Houston

This shapes up to be one of the toughest home dates on the Bears’ schedule. With an aggressive and athletic defense, coupled with dynamic playmakers on offense such as Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, the Texans are expected to be a handful for any team they face in 2012.

Dickerson

(6-3)

Wright

(7-2)

W11: Mon., Nov. 19 at San Francisco

Nothing good ever happens for Chicago teams in San Francisco. It’s a building with a lot of bad history for the Bears. Plus, the Niners boast one of the best defenses in the NFL. Jay Cutler can’t throw five interceptions if the Bears expect to win this one.

Dickerson

(6-4)

Wright

(7-3)

W12: Sun., Nov. 25 vs. Minnesota

The last time Minnesota won at Soldier Field, Adrian Peterson rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns. It might take a similar feat if the re-building Vikings hope to pull off the upset on the road and give coach Leslie Frazier a victory over his former team.

Dickerson

(7-4)

Wright

(8-3)

W13: Sun., Dec. 2 vs. Seattle

A familiar opponent for the Bears as the two teams have met seven times since 2006, including twice in the postseason. No doubt the Bears will be looking for some payback after an ugly 38-14 home loss to the Seahawks last season. Given Seattle’s relative inexperience at quarterback with Matt Flynn, revenge seems likely.

Dickerson

(8-4)

Wright

(9-3)

W14: Sun., Dec. 9 at Minnesota

The Bears squeezed out a close win at the end of the 2011 regular season, but that was without their starting quarterback. With Cutler back in the fold, the Bears should be able to tune out the Vikings horn and earn a division road victory.

Dickerson

(9-4)

Wright

(10-3)

W15: Sun., Dec. 16 vs. Green Bay

Green Bay soundly defeated the Bears at home last season. Although the Packers are one of the top teams in the NFC North, the Bears look to be on the rise after the offseason pickups of Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush. This contest should be much closer than last season’s 27-17 loss to Green Bay at Soldier Field.

Dickerson

(10-4)

Wright

(10-4)

W16: Sun., Dec. 23 at Arizona

This marks just the second time the Bears will play in University of Phoenix Stadium. What will Devin Hester do for an encore? Who can forget the Bears magical win on Monday Night Football in Arizona during the run to the Super Bowl in 2006? Crown ‘em.

Dickerson

(11-4)

Wright

(11-4)

W17: Sun., Dec. 30 at Detroit

Calvin Johnson was too much for the Bears to handle last season at Ford Field, hauling in five passes for 130 yards and a score. But the killer was an 88-yard touchdown scamper by Jahvid Best that sealed the deal late in the third quarter. Don’t expect a repeat performance by Best, but Johnson is always a tremendous concern.

Dickerson

(11-5)

Wright

(11-5)