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After ranking #29 in my prep and rest rankings last year and having a net rest edge of -4, the Chicago Bears rank #1 in both metrics this year.
#1 in prep and rest ranking and #1 in net rest with +15 days.
The +15 days of net rest for the Bears is the #2 largest net rest edge for any team in the NFL since 1990.
The Bears' +15 days of net rest is the most in franchise history.
They've had over eight days just one other time, and that was in 2023 at +12.
In the last five years (2021-2025), the Bears averaged +1.4 days of net rest edge.
The Bears play five games in 2026 with a rest edge over their opponent.
That is tied for the most in the NFL.
But it’s not just a lot of games with one day of rest edge.
Chicago plays four games with +3 days of net rest.
Most of these are games against critical opponents:
+3 days vs. the Seahawks in Week 8 after hosting Thursday Night Football
+3 days vs. the Lions in Week 17 after playing on Christmas
+3 days vs. the Jaguars in Week 13 after playing on Thanksgiving
+7 days vs. the Saints after their Week 10 bye
Last year, the Bears had just one game with +3 or more days of rest.
It was after their bye, and they won outright as an underdog.
It is also noteworthy that late in the season, from Week 11 on, the Bears have rest edges in four of their seven games, with a rest disadvantage in zero games.
They are the only team in the NFL with that benefit.
In critical divisional games late in the season, the Bears have rest edges in home games against the Packers and Lions.
Notably, none of the other NFC North teams rank in the top 10 of net rest differential, while the Bears sit at #1.
While the Bears face the #6 toughest overall schedule of opponents, they have excellent rest edges.
Why this matters even more for the Bears is that since 2020, the Bears are 0-9 straight up and 1-8 against the spread when playing a game with a rest deficit of at least three days.
Their return on investment if you bet on them in these games was -78.8%.
Both marks are the worst in the NFL.
However, over that same span since 2020, the Bears are 37-45 SU and 42-35-5 ATS (55%) when not playing with a rest disadvantage.
Their ROI is +4.1%.
That 55% ATS mark ranks #4 best in the NFL.
So the Bears shift from worst to #4 best in exceeding pre-game expectations when having extra rest.
That includes 2025 with Ben Johnson at the helm.
Chicago went 11-2 SU and 11-1-1 ATS with no rest disadvantage.
That’s +75% ROI made when betting on them and was, by far, the best mark in the NFL.
But the Bears went 0-2 SU and ATS when playing with a rest deficit of at least three days last year.
