The Bears' 2020 regular-season schedule that was released by the NFL Thursday evening begins with four straight games that kick off at noon (CT) on Sunday.

They're slated to open against the Lions in Detroit Sept. 13, host the Giants in Chicago Sept. 20, visit the Falcons in Atlanta Sept. 27 and welcome the Colts to Soldier Field Oct. 4.

It's a vast departure from last year when the Bears played two of their first three games in prime time, traveled to London to face the Raiders in Week 5 and didn't start a contest at noon in the city they were playing until Week 8.

This season the Bears are scheduled to make four prime-time appearances—one shy of the NFL maximum—with one on Thursday night, one on Sunday night and two on Monday night.

Their first game under the lights will take place in Week 5 when the Bears host Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Buccaneers Thursday night, Oct. 8 (7:20 p.m.) at Soldier Field.

The Bears will then play back-to-back road games, visiting the Panthers in Carolina Sunday, Oct. 18 (noon) and the Rams in Los Angeles on Monday Night Football Oct. 26 (7:15 p.m.).

None of the Bears' first seven games is against a 2019 playoff team. But seven of their final nine contests are versus opponents that reached the postseason last year.

The rugged stretch begins with back-to-back Sunday games against the Saints in Chicago Nov. 1 (3:25 p.m.) and versus the Titans in Tennessee Nov. 8 (noon).

The Bears will then play consecutive prime-time games—with the bye week wedged between them—against the two NFC North rivals that finished ahead of them in last year's standings. First, the Bears will host the Vikings Nov. 16 on Monday Night Football (7:15 p.m.) at Soldier Field. And after a bye week, they'll travel to Green Bay to battle the Packers Sunday night, Nov. 29 (7:20 p.m.). Beginning with those two games, the Bears play five of their final seven contests against NFC North opponents.

This season will mark the ninth time in the last 10 years the Bears-Packers game at Lambeau Field will be played at night. The only exception was last year when the teams met on a Sunday afternoon.

The Bears will then close the season with five straight games that are all scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday. They'll host the Lions Dec. 6 and the Texans Dec. 13, visit the Vikings in Minnesota Dec. 20 and the Jaguars in Jacksonville Dec. 27, and then conclude the season against the Packers at Soldier Field Jan. 3, 2021.

The Bears' final nine Sunday games beginning Oct. 18 are subject to flexible scheduling and could be moved to another time the same day.

The Bears on Thursday evening also announced their four preseason opponents. They will host the Browns in Chicago the week of Aug. 13-17, visit the Broncos in Denver Aug. 20-24, face the 49ers at Soldier Field Aug. 27-30 and play the Titans in Tennessee Sept. 3. Dates and times will be released at a later date.

Although NFL team facilities remain closed due to the coronavirus, the league is planning to play the 2020 season as scheduled—with increased protocols and safety measures for all players, personnel and attendees.

The NFL will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary in order to conduct games in as safe and efficient a manner as possible, and will continue to make decisions based on the latest advice of medical and public health officials.

Bears 2020 Schedule (all times central time)

Preseason

Aug. 13-17 VS. CLEVELAND, time TBD

Aug. 20-24 at Denver, time TBD

Aug. 27-30 VS. SAN FRANCISCO, time TBD

Sept. 3 at Tennessee, time TBD

Regular season

Sunday, Sept. 13 at Detroit, noon

Sunday, Sept. 20 VS. N.Y. GIANTS, NOON

Sunday, Sept. 27 at Atlanta, noon

Sunday, Oct. 4 VS. INDIANAPOLIS, NOON

Thursday, Oct. 8 VS. TAMPA BAY, 7:20 PM

Sunday, Oct. 18 at Carolina, noon*

Monday, Oct. 26 at L.A. Rams, 7:15 pm

Sunday, Nov. 1 VS. NEW ORLEANS, 3:25 PM*

Sunday, Nov. 8 at Tennessee, noon*

Monday, Nov. 16 VS. MINNESOTA, 7:15 PM

BYE WEEK

Sunday, Nov. 29 at Green Bay, 7:20 pm*

Sunday, Dec. 6 VS. DETROIT, NOON*

Sunday, Dec. 13 VS. HOUSTON, NOON*

Sunday, Dec. 20 at Minnesota, noon*

Sunday, Dec. 27 at Jacksonville, noon*

Sunday, Jan. 3 VS. GREEN BAY, NOON*

*Subject to flexible scheduling