Yeah that stretch sucks, but mainly because of the multiple short weeks. But I don't understand the sentiment about the schedule being brutal or the first 3 games being awful. Are people forgetting the Bears won 5 games last year? Only 3 of the last 13? They could start off with the Vikings, Rams and 49ers (teams with losing records) and that would still be tough, because all those teams were BETTER than the Bears last year. Every game is going to be tough for this team. I'd rather get the toughest games out of the way early. New coach, new defensive scheme. I would prefer the hardest games to come later in the year when we've geled more and hopefully gained some confidence.