NFL Schedule reviewed. Tentative plan set.
When the NFL Schedule was release I reviewed it for 3 main agendas:
1) The Chicago Bears home schedule.
2) The schedules for the stadiums I have not attended NFL games at.
3) The international schedule – now that the NFL is consistently playing games in London and Toronto.
The Chicago Bears Home Schedule
As a Bears’ season ticket holder, I first look at the Bears’ home games and look out for any conflicts. For example, September home games sometimes conflict with Cubs’ home games. However, the Cubs are only home on one Sunday afternoon in September this year – Sun, September 21 at 1:20 pm.
The Bears home schedule is (all times Central):
Sun, 9/21 at Noon vs. Tampa Bay (of course the only Sunday afternoon home game in September is on the same day the Cubs are home)
Sun, 9/28 at 7:15 pm vs. Philadelphia
Sun, 10/19 at Noon vs. Minnesota
Sun, 11/2 at Noon vs. Detroit
Sun, 11/9 at Noon vs. Tennessee
Sun, 12/7 at Noon vs. Jacksonville
Thu, 12/11 at 7:15 pm vs. New Orleans
Mon, 12/22 at 7:30 pm vs. Green Bay
After initial review, the Bears schedule works out very well this year except for the first home game. Not only are the Cubs home but the Ryder Cup falls on that same weekend in Louisville, KY. I may have to skip both Chicago games and go to Louisville.
Schedules for stadiums in which I have not attended games yet
After reviewing the Bears’ schedule, I look up the schedules for the stadiums I have not attended games at (that I do not need to combine with the NBA and NHL) – Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
Indianapolis: Since Indianapolis is close to Chicago, I do not need to plan ahead since we will be driving. I had hoped to see the Bears in Indianapolis’ new stadium this year, but the Colts host the Bears in the opening game at Lucas Oil Stadium. I expect ticket prices to be high for the game. Thus, I will plan to attend a Colts game later in the season or another year.
Philadelphia: I would like to combine seeing Lincoln Financial Field with Nationals Park (the new home of the Washington Nationals). The only weekend both teams are home in September is Sept 20-21. UGH!
Pittsburgh: With Indianapolis and Philadelphia most likely out for trips this season, the best weekend to travel to Pittsburgh is most likely opening weekend for the game on Sun, 9/7 vs. Houston. The rest of the Steelers’ home schedule either compete with Bears home games, other travel plans or are on weeknights.
International Games
The NFL has started to play multiple games in foreign counties – Wembley Stadium and Rogers Centre. As a rule, I do not travel to a stadium if the game is a one-off. However, since the NFL is scheduling annual contests at these venues, I am planning to travel to those cities.
London: For the 2nd consecutive year, the NFL will play a game at Wembley Stadium in London, England. As stated, since this will be the second year they play there, I feel it is time to schedule the trip over there. The Chargers and Saints will play on Sun, Oct. 26.
The only possible scheduling conflict for this weekend would be possible Cubs World Series games (“Why would you consider that?” You might ask). I will be a big fan of the National League in the All-Star game this year. Then, the National League would host World Series games on Wed, Oct. 22 and Thu, Oct. 23.
Toronto: Starting this season, the Buffalo Bills will host one regular season game each year for the next five years at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This year’s game falls on Sun, Dec. 7. Since the Bears are home that day as well, we will not attend the game in Toronto this season. Also, I expect tickets to be in high demand for the first regular season game in Canada. By waiting a few seasons, tickets will probably be cheaper to buy.
Of course, this is just the initial planning for the NFL season. As the season draws closer, I will start to finalize travel plans and add other cities. For example, the Bears play in Green Bay on Sun, November 16. The Ultimate Sports Wife and I have discussed going to Green Bay this season. If the game is not changed to Sunday night we will probably drive up for the game.
1) The Chicago Bears home schedule.
2) The schedules for the stadiums I have not attended NFL games at.
3) The international schedule – now that the NFL is consistently playing games in London and Toronto.
The Chicago Bears Home Schedule
As a Bears’ season ticket holder, I first look at the Bears’ home games and look out for any conflicts. For example, September home games sometimes conflict with Cubs’ home games. However, the Cubs are only home on one Sunday afternoon in September this year – Sun, September 21 at 1:20 pm.
The Bears home schedule is (all times Central):
Sun, 9/21 at Noon vs. Tampa Bay (of course the only Sunday afternoon home game in September is on the same day the Cubs are home)
Sun, 9/28 at 7:15 pm vs. Philadelphia
Sun, 10/19 at Noon vs. Minnesota
Sun, 11/2 at Noon vs. Detroit
Sun, 11/9 at Noon vs. Tennessee
Sun, 12/7 at Noon vs. Jacksonville
Thu, 12/11 at 7:15 pm vs. New Orleans
Mon, 12/22 at 7:30 pm vs. Green Bay
After initial review, the Bears schedule works out very well this year except for the first home game. Not only are the Cubs home but the Ryder Cup falls on that same weekend in Louisville, KY. I may have to skip both Chicago games and go to Louisville.
Schedules for stadiums in which I have not attended games yet
After reviewing the Bears’ schedule, I look up the schedules for the stadiums I have not attended games at (that I do not need to combine with the NBA and NHL) – Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
Indianapolis: Since Indianapolis is close to Chicago, I do not need to plan ahead since we will be driving. I had hoped to see the Bears in Indianapolis’ new stadium this year, but the Colts host the Bears in the opening game at Lucas Oil Stadium. I expect ticket prices to be high for the game. Thus, I will plan to attend a Colts game later in the season or another year.
Philadelphia: I would like to combine seeing Lincoln Financial Field with Nationals Park (the new home of the Washington Nationals). The only weekend both teams are home in September is Sept 20-21. UGH!
Pittsburgh: With Indianapolis and Philadelphia most likely out for trips this season, the best weekend to travel to Pittsburgh is most likely opening weekend for the game on Sun, 9/7 vs. Houston. The rest of the Steelers’ home schedule either compete with Bears home games, other travel plans or are on weeknights.
International Games
The NFL has started to play multiple games in foreign counties – Wembley Stadium and Rogers Centre. As a rule, I do not travel to a stadium if the game is a one-off. However, since the NFL is scheduling annual contests at these venues, I am planning to travel to those cities.
London: For the 2nd consecutive year, the NFL will play a game at Wembley Stadium in London, England. As stated, since this will be the second year they play there, I feel it is time to schedule the trip over there. The Chargers and Saints will play on Sun, Oct. 26.
The only possible scheduling conflict for this weekend would be possible Cubs World Series games (“Why would you consider that?” You might ask). I will be a big fan of the National League in the All-Star game this year. Then, the National League would host World Series games on Wed, Oct. 22 and Thu, Oct. 23.
Toronto: Starting this season, the Buffalo Bills will host one regular season game each year for the next five years at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This year’s game falls on Sun, Dec. 7. Since the Bears are home that day as well, we will not attend the game in Toronto this season. Also, I expect tickets to be in high demand for the first regular season game in Canada. By waiting a few seasons, tickets will probably be cheaper to buy.
Of course, this is just the initial planning for the NFL season. As the season draws closer, I will start to finalize travel plans and add other cities. For example, the Bears play in Green Bay on Sun, November 16. The Ultimate Sports Wife and I have discussed going to Green Bay this season. If the game is not changed to Sunday night we will probably drive up for the game.
Labels: NFL Schedule
posted by Ultimate Sports Fan, Andrew @ 2:56 PM
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