The Chicago Bears schedule must’ve undergone some sort of voodoo ritual before the season. Only a curse would explain how difficult its been. In 2016 they reportedly had the sixth-toughest schedule in the entire league. Combined with a litany of injuries, there was no surprise their season ended in a catastrophic 3-13 thud.

Hopes started to change though at the start of 2017. Estimates indicated that they would have the second-easiest schedule in the league. Problem is no league changes more in one year than the NFL. True to form that cupcake schedule has since transformed into a spiked flail of death. Not only has it been the toughest in football thus far, it hasn’t even been close.

Hardest #NFL schedules so far: CHI .633, WAS .587, GB .558, NO .554, MIA .550, CLE .538, DET .537, SF .537, TB .537, KC .525, DEN .521 — Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@SandoESPN) November 28, 2017

To date eight of their opponents boast a record of .500 or better. Four of them currently lead their respective divisions. One has the best record in the NFL and two others are tied for the second-best record. Considering the Bears have a rookie quarterback, no viable receivers and an outmatched coaching staff it’s beginning to make sense why this team has struggled so much.

Chicago Bears schedule naturally softens too little too late

Of course the cruel reality for this team is it appears their schedule lightens up right as it no longer matters. The best they can hope for is an 8-8 finish but that would require a five-game win streak. They haven’t even managed three in-a-row since 2015. The Browns and 49ers are still to come and they are the only two teams in the league worse than the Bears at present.

Problem is even that won’t balance out the brutality of the schedule. They still have to visit both the Lions and Vikings on the road to end the year. Considering they weren’t able to beat either at Soldier Field, one must not like their chances. If the Cincinnati Bengals manage to win next Sunday they’d become the ninth team to join that list of .500 or better opponents.

Relentless and unforgiving don’t seem like strong enough words to describe it all.