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| Chicago Bears |
Their schedule that was released Tuesday is going to make it more difficult for the Bears and it ultimately might cost them a game or two. There are potholes all along the road to the postseason.
The first one comes in August, when the Bears have to play a fifth preseason game. An extra game means more wear and tear on players and more exposure to potential injury.
Then comes the start of the regular season. The Bears’ first three opponents -- the Falcons, Saints and Packers -- had a combined winning percentage last season of .708. Going 0-3 to start the year is a distinct possibility.
The Bears were given four night games, three of them in a brutal four-game stretch that includes a trip to London. An overseas trip by itself usually takes a toll on a team.
This stretch is going to wreak havoc with the Bears’ body clocks and their routines. NFL teams hate to have their routines disrupted, and sometimes respond by coming unraveled.
Finally, the Bears finish the season with games against their two primary rivals, the Packers and Vikings. Both games are on the road. Both are on holidays -- the Packers on Christmas and the Vikings on New Year’s Day.
Coach Lovie Smith will need to guard against players being distracted by family issues and having his team let down in those last two games.
That's not to say the Bears can’t overcome these obstacles. But there are going to be more obstacles this year than last.
