Nothing shows the NFL is king quite like turning the annual schedule release into a major week-long spectacle. But with primetime games already being announced and leaks beginning to surface, it’s clear fans are stoked to see when and where their favorite team is going to play this season.
For Chicago Bears fans, another question might be brewing as well: Will there be any prime-time games this season?
Seeing your favorite team play under the lights in front of a national audience can be thrilling and exciting. For Bears fans over the last couple of seasons, it was just a chance for the entire country to see the disfunction that they had been living with for far too long.
Now coming off a 6-11 season with a new regime and plenty of unknowns, they may not be the most sought-after team to put in front of the entire country. Still, we’re predicting more than a couple opportunities to play prime-time football this upcoming season.
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Bears vs. Packers
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Let’s begin with the low-hanging fruit. The Bears’ rivalry with the Green Bay Packers is one for the history books and always feels like must-see TV for the national audience. Since 2005, these teams have played in prime time at least once in every season. The only issue is the vast majority have taken place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Since 2005, the Packers have hosted the Bears 13 times under the lights, compared to just four taking place in Chicago. In fact, Soldier Field played host to just one Bears-Packers prime-time game in the last 13 years. Something’s got to give and I think the NFL continues putting these teams under the lights, but this time it’s back in Chicago.
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Bears at Cowboys
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Though they play in the same conference, the Bears…