Highlights of the Bears' 2014 schedule, which was released by the NFL Wednesday, include five prime-time games and a Thanksgiving match-up against the Lions in Detroit.
The Bears will open the season at home for the fifth straight year, hosting the Bills at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 7. A difficult stretch follows, with four of five games away from home, beginning with back-to-back prime-time road contests against the 49ers and Jets.
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The Bears will open the 49ers' new stadium, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., in a Week 2 Sunday Night Football clash Sept. 14. Eight days later, Chicago will make the first of its two appearances on Monday Night Football Sept. 28 against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Bears will then return home to battle the rival Packers on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Soldier Field. Interestingly, it's the only game among the Bears' first eight contests against an NFC North opponent. It's also the first of five straight games scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday.
After facing Green Bay, the Bears will visit the Panthers in Carolina Oct. 5 and the Falcons in Atlanta Oct. 12 before returning home to host the Dolphins Oct. 19. Coach Marc Trestman's team will then travel to New England to battle the Patriots Oct. 26.
The Bears' bye week comes at the exact midpoint of the season, after their first eight games.
They'll return to action Nov. 9 on Sunday Night Football against the Packers in Green Bay, ending a stretch during which they play six of eight games on the road.
After their second match-up versus the Packers, the Bears will play five of their next six contests at Soldier Field, with the only exception being a Thanksgiving battle in Detroit Nov. 27.
Take a pictorial look at the Bears' 2014 preseason and regular season schedules.
Last meeting: In 2013, the Bears lost to the Eagles 54-11 in Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.
Next meeting: The Bears open their preseason schedule against the Eagles on Friday, August 8th at 7PM CT.
Last meeting: In 2012, the Bears defeated the Jaguars 41-3 in Jacksonville.
Next meeting: The Bears will host the Jaguars in their second preseason game on August 14th at 7PM CT.
Last meeting: In 2012, the Bears lost to the Seahawks 23-17 in overtime at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears travel to Seattle to take on the defending Super Bowl champs on August 22nd at 9PM CT.
Last meeting: In 2013, the Bears traveled to Cleveland and topped the Browns 38-31.
Next meeting: The Bears close out their preseason schedule in Cleveland on August 28th at 7PM CT.
Last meeting: The Bears opened their 2011 preseason with a 7-3 victory over the Bills at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will kick off their regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on September 7th.
Last meeting: In 2012, the Bears lost 32-7 to the 49ers at Candlestick Park on Monday Night Football.
Next meeting: The Bears travel to San Francisco for a Sunday Night Football matchup on September 14th at 7:30pm.
Last meeting: In 2010, the Bears edged the Jets 38-34 at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will travel to New York for a Monday Night Football contest against the Jets on September 22nd at 7:30pm.
Last Meeting: In 2013, the Bears closed out their regular season with a 33-28 loss to the Packers at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears take on their first division opponent of the season on September 28th at noon.
Last Meeting: The Bears fell short to the Panthers 24-17 in their preseason opener last season.
Next meeting: The Bears travel to Charlotte to take on last season's NFC South Division Champs on October 5th at noon.
Last meeting: The Bears routed the Falcons 30-12 in their 2011 season opener at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will take on the Falcons in the Georgia Dome on October 12th at noon.
Last meeting: In 2010, the Bears shut out the Dolphins 16-0 in Miami on Thursday Night Football.
Next meeting: The Bears return from their NFC South road trip to host the Miami Dolphins on October 19th at noon.
Last meeting: In 2010, the Bears were defeated by the Patriots 36-7 on a snow-drenched Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will battle the Patriots in Foxborough on October 26th at noon.
Last road meeting: In 2013, the Bears defeated the Packers 27-20 on Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field.
Next meeting: The Bears return from their bye week to face off with the Packers in Green Bay on November 9th at 7:30PM CT.
Last home meeting: In 2013, the Bears scored a game-winning touchdown to narrowly defeat the Vikings 31-30 at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will host the Vikings on November 16th at noon.
Last meeting: In 2011, the Bears traveled across the Atlantic to London and topped the Buccaneers 24-18 at Wembley Stadium.
Next meeting: The Bears will see some familiar faces as they will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 23rd at noon.
Last road meeting: In 2013, the Bears fell short to the Lions 40-32 at Ford Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will travel to Ford Field to take on the Lions for a Thanksgiving showdown on November 27th at 11:30AM CT.
Last meeting: In 2013, the Bears dominated the Cowboys 45-28 on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will matchup with the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, December 4th at 7:25PM CT.
Last meeting: The Bears lost to the Saints 26-18 last season at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will host the New Orleans Saints for Monday Night Football on December 15th at 7:30PM CT.
Last home meeting: In 2013, the Bears were edged 21-19 by the Lions at Soldier Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will host the Lions for their third consecutive home game in December. Kickoff is on the 21st at noon.
Last road meeting: In 2013, the Bears lost 23-20 in overtime to the Vikings at Mall of America Field.
Next meeting: The Bears will close out their regular season against the Vikings in Minnesota on December 28th at noon.
The Bears will host Sunday home games against the Vikings Nov. 16 and the Buccaneers Nov. 23 before traveling to Ford Field for their first Turkey Day appearance since 2004.
They'll follow by playing on a second straight Thursday when they host the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football Dec. 4 before another prime-time home game against the Saints 11 days later on Monday Night Football Dec. 15.
After hosting the Lions on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Soldier Field, the Bears will close the regular season against the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Of the Bears' five prime-time games, they have two on Sunday, two on Monday and one on Thursday, plus a sixth nationally-televised contest at 11:30 a.m. (CT) on Thanksgiving.
Their other 10 games are all scheduled to begin at noon (CT), though all but two of those contests are subject to the NFL's flexible scheduling plan. Teams, however, are limited to six prime-time appearances, which means that the Bears could have only one of those games moved to Sunday night assuming none of their Sunday night contests is flexed to an afternoon slot.
Flexible scheduling will be utilized in Weeks 11-17 as always. But for the first time, it can also be used no more than two times during Weeks 5-10.
Also for the first time, a select number of games are being "cross-flexed" between CBS and FOX, which explains why the Bears-Lions contest on Thanksgiving Day is being televised by CBS, which normally only broadcasts games that feature AFC clubs as the road team.
The Bears have also confirmed dates and times for their preseason games. They will host the Eagles on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and the Jaguars on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. before visiting the Seahawks in Seattle on Friday, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. and the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
The game against Jacksonville will be televised nationally on ESPN, while the other three preseason contests will be shown live on WFLD-TV in Chicago and stations throughout the Midwest.
All preseason and regular season games will be broadcast on WBBM radio featuring play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak and color analyst Tom Thayer.
Fans looking to travel to Bears home and away games can book their experience through the following Bears Corporate Partners: Hyatt, NFL Ticket Exchange and United.
