tombonneau
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Thanks; I know some of these aren't exactly mainstream media, but I do find these predictions interesting - and sometimes amusing.Big props to Mr. Sellers for compiling all these excerpts and links. Made for some easy reading.
New England at Chicago – A great game between two teams that have visions of a Super Bowl XX rematch in early February. The Pats put the Jets in a stranglehold Monday night, crushing them 45-3. As for the Bears, they had a tough time, but overcame a tough Lions team to pull out a win. The Pats always seem to get up for tough games on the road, more so late in the year. Hard to see them having a letdown, even after a Monday night game in which they played near perfect. New England 28 Chicago 27
Jonathan of Bears Headquarters: I really want to pick the Patriots, but for some reason, I am thinking this game will be a let-down game for the Patriots. Plus, with the turf issues at Soldier Field I’m not sure the Patriots understand what’s involved with this field. The offense of the Patriots and the defense of the Chicago Bears are the story of this game. Whatever unit wins here will win the game. Our special teams are strong and our offense is statistically a little better than the Patriot’s defense but I’m not convinced its the difference. So we’ll go Chicago 21 Patriots 17. But trust me I don’t feel great about this pick. And with the weather supposedly going to be terrible, all bets are off.
Chris Ranson of Patriots Chronicle: ”I like the New England Patriots. I think the Chicago Bears can hang in with New England during the first half, but as the game progresses I believe Tom Brady finds a way to pick apart Brian Urlacher. Both teams play good defense and most people expect this game to be a defensive contest. I’m taking New England 35 to 31 in an offensive shoot out in the snow.”
I think this is going to be a low-scoring game. And in low-scoring, cold weather games I will take the better run game and special teams.
Chicago Bears 13 - New England Patriots 10
Patriots over Bears: Should be a very good game with two division leaders duking it out. However, I like the precision of Tom Brady over the brash, inconsistency of Jay Cutler, and hence, my pick of New England even though the game will be in the cold of Chicago.
The Patriots have already beaten the other top teams in the AFC -- Jets, Steelers, Ravens -- by a combined 58 points. Now, with the Bears and Packers in back-to-back weeks, they get a chance to start knocking off some of the NFC's top teams.
Prediction: Patriots, 28-20
Wow, what an impressive performance by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this past Monday night. They put any questions about who's the best team in the AFC to rest with their 45-3 beatdown of the Jets. Now, the Patriots face an out-of-conference test against the Chicago Bears. I see Brady & Co. staying hot and covering the three points. But an even better play in my mind, even if you're not the type to ever bet the over/under, is the over. 44 total points between those two teams? I think they'll soar past that total by the third quarter at the latest. Pick: Patriots to cover; Over 44
New England (-3) at Chicago
The Bears have won five straight but the Patriots have won 20 of their last 21 regular-season games against the NFC.
Patriots 24-20
Patriots minus 3 vs. Bears: If Chicago wins this one, I’ll finally believe.
NFLN ...irvin and mooch pick the pats, sapp and faulk pick the bears. Faulk's reasoning
"Its a revenge game.For the first time since 2001 mike martz and lovie smith are on the same field together vs bill belichick.Its personal"
i wonder if he picks games as personal too.
WR and RB? I think Patriots are clearly better. Bears may have the worst WR corps in the NFL.In the first paragraph of your post you were right on the money. However outside of QB and OL where exactly do you see our TANGIBLE advantage in personnel??. Quite the contrary, it looks to me that it is Chicago who has a number of "tangible personnel" advantages at RB, more explosive WRs, kick returners - DL, Pass rushers, LBs And in the area where we have the advantage QB - it isn't as large as it was last week.
When you consider all the "intangible" obstacles you mentioned in your first paragraph, and add the personnel issues, I can't believe there aren't more "mediots" who are picking the Bears. I'd feel real good about our chances on a good field with decent weather. All those obstacles and the bad weather makes me nervous. A few lucky bounces either way will decide this game.