Home / Sports / Bears Defy Expectations, Defeat Packers in 2024 Season Finale
Bears Defy Expectations, Defeat Packers in 2024 Season Finale
29 Jun
Summary
- Bears' schedule ranked 7th toughest, not 2nd as initially projected
- Sharp Football Analysis' method more accurate than standard schedule strength
- 49ers have the easiest schedule, boosting their chances of going from worst to first

In the 2024 NFL season, the Chicago Bears, under new head coach Ben Johnson, faced a formidable task with a schedule that was initially projected to be the second-toughest in the league. However, a closer analysis by Sharp Football Analysis has revealed that the Bears' schedule is actually the 7th toughest, not the 2nd.
Sharp's method, which bases its projections on Las Vegas' over/under win totals for each team's opponents rather than the previous year's actual win-loss records, has proven to be more accurate in predicting schedule difficulty. According to their analysis, the New York Giants have the toughest schedule, followed by the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Interestingly, the Green Bay Packers, the Bears' division rivals, have the 10th toughest schedule, the easiest in the NFC North. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers have the overall easiest schedule, which could boost their chances of going from worst to first in their division.
The Bears' surprising victory over the Packers in the 2024 season finale suggests that they may be able to exceed expectations, despite the challenges posed by their schedule. As the new season approaches, fans will be eager to see if the Bears can capitalize on this momentum and make a push for the playoffs.