Not all stretches during an NFL season are created equal. A favorable month can launch a playoff push. A brutal one can bury a team before Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge.
Below, we examine the most difficult four-game stretches for each NFC North team — the gauntlets that could define division races, shape playoff hopes and, in some cases, determine whether coaches and QBs enter the offseason under pressure.
Weeks 5-8: at Green Bay Packers (Oct. 11)
• at Atlanta Falcons (Oct. 18) • vs. New England Patriots (Oct. 22) • at Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 2) | The Bears couldn’t have been thrilled with this section of their schedule when it dropped on May 14. In Week 5, the Bears play their first of two games against a Packers team that has beaten them 21 times in the last 26 meetings. Seven days later, Chicago has to travel again to Atlanta and deal with dynamic running back Bijan Robinson.
In Week 7, the Bears get only three full days of rest before they have to take on the reigning AFC champion Patriots at home. Then, they’ll travel out west to do battle with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
That’s three road games against Super Bowl-caliber teams in four weeks. Good luck, Chicago!
Weeks 15-18: at Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 20) • vs. New York Giants (Dec. 28) • at Bears (Jan. 3) • at Packers (TBD) | The Lions have a friendly schedule in 2026 due to their last-place finish in the NFC North last year, but the schedule-makers saved the toughest for last.