(670 The Score) The NFL on Tuesday afternoon officially announced its new 17-game regular season, which will feature the Bears visiting the Las Vegas Raiders in their additional game.
The date for that 17th game will be set at a later date. The matchups for the NFL's additional game in 2021 were determined by using the cross-conference divisional matchups from 2019. From that starting point, teams then were matched up with opponents that finished in the same spot in the division standings in 2020. The Bears and Raiders each took second in their respective divisions last season after the NFC North and AFC West squared off in 2019. The AFC was awarded home-field advantage in these games in 2021.
As part of the NFL's new 17-game schedule, the preseason will be decreased from four to three games beginning in 2021. The conference that will play on the road for the 17th regular-season game will get to host two preseason games, meaning the Bears will host two exhibitions at Soldier Field in 2021.
The NFL and players' association approved the 17-game schedule as part of the collective bargaining agreement signed in March 2020. The two sides put those plans on hold last season during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a monumental moment in NFL history,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “The CBA with the players and the recently completed media agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality of the NFL experience for our fans. And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around the world.”
The 17-game regular season will also include four international games each season, with all 32 teams playing out of the United States once every eight years.
The Bears' schedule in 2021 includes the usual divisional matchups at home and on the road with the Lions, Packers, Vikings. The slate also features home games against the Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, Giants and 49ers and then road matchups with the Browns, Raiders, Rams, Steelers, Seahawks and Buccaneers.
The Bears last played the Raiders in October 2019, losing 24-21 in a game played in London.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.