Not all stretches throughout an NFL season are created equal. A good month can launch a playoff push. A brutal one can bury a workforce earlier than Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge.
Beneath, we look at essentially the most troublesome four-game stretches for every NFC North workforce — the gauntlets that would outline division races, form playoff hopes and, in some instances, decide whether or not coaches and QBs enter the offseason underneath strain.
Weeks 5-8: at Inexperienced Bay Packers (Oct. 11)
• at Atlanta Falcons (Oct. 18) • vs. New England Patriots (Oct. 22) • at Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 2) | The Bears could not have been thrilled with this part of their schedule when it dropped on Could 14. In Week 5, the Bears play their first of two video games in opposition to a Packers workforce that has overwhelmed them 21 occasions within the final 26 conferences. Seven days later, Chicago has to journey once more to Atlanta and cope with dynamic working again Bijan Robinson.
In Week 7, the Bears get solely three full days of relaxation earlier than they should tackle the reigning AFC champion Patriots at residence. Then, they’re going to journey out west to do battle with the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Seahawks.
That is three street video games in opposition to Tremendous Bowl-caliber groups in 4 weeks. Good luck, Chicago!
Weeks 15-18: at Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 20) • vs. New York Giants (Dec. 28) • at Bears (Jan. 3) • at Packers (TBD) | The Lions have a pleasant schedule in 2026 because of their last-place end within the NFC North final 12 months, however the schedule-makers saved the hardest for final.
