The Chicago Bears' seemingly favorable 2012 schedule was released on Tuesday night, a slate characterized by prime time games. Chicago has three Monday night contests on the schedule, and also have one on Sunday night. In Week 10, on Nov. 11, the Bears will host the Houston Texans with the bright lights of NBC shining down on Soldier Field.
The Texans finally broke through to the playoffs last season for the first time in franchise history, and even earned a win. Houston downed the Cincinnati Bengals in a meeting of two rookie quarterbacks in the opening round before falling to the Baltimore Ravens. With quarterback Matt Schaub returning from injury and his favorite target, wide receiver Andre Johnson, as destructive as ever, the Texans will certainly be a formidable opponent for Chicago.
Thankfully for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, Houston lost Mario Williams, the team's only elite pass rusher, to the Buffalo Bills during free agency.
For updates on the Bears' 2012 schedule, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bears blog Windy City Gridiron. And for more from around the NFL, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.