Bears have unique advantage that will help them compete in NFC North
There are numerous reasons to be encouraged ahead of the Chicago Bears’ 2023 season. On top of the team’s exciting offseason additions, the Bears have been handed a historic advantage to an incredibly pivotal season for the franchise. Chicago’s 2023 regular season schedule release offered many intriguing circumstances following Thursday’s reveal. Bookending the season with […]
There are numerous reasons to be encouraged ahead of the Chicago Bears’ 2023 season. On top of the team’s exciting offseason additions, the Bears have been handed a historic advantage to an incredibly pivotal season for the franchise.
Chicago’s 2023 regular season schedule release offered many intriguing circumstances following Thursday’s reveal. Bookending the season with matchups against the Green Bay Packers and four primetime games are just two of the highlights.
Sure, two Thursday night contests aren’t ideal at first glance, but with them comes a major perk: rest. That’s right, the Bears will benefit from a whopping 12 days of net rest differential from their opponents.
Translation: More often than not, Chicago will be the more rested team throughout the 17-game schedule. In fact, the Bears’ rest differential ties an NFL record shared with the Buffalo Bills (2022) and Detroit Lions (2010, 2011).
Though rest doesn’t directly translate to on-field success, it sure helps in managing energy and injuries. Chicago is a pretty young team to begin with, so the Bears should be able to use this to their advantage late in games, especially following games played on extended rest.
It’s an advantage that can easily be overlooked, but it’s one that will certainly make a positive impact. Chicago will take every edge it can as the Bears aim to be in the mix for playoff contention.
