Intriguing Sunday looms in the NFL
Chicago Bears fans will be waiting all day for Sunday night to watch their team play ... but if they love football, they'll have loads of fun during the wait.
There are two excellent games scheduled for noon that will both be broadcast on Chicago television. Ironically, the one game that affects the Bears and the entire NFC North Division will be broadcast on the AFC network, CBS. That's where unbeaten Minnesota gets its first true test when it hosts Baltimore. Now 3-2 and playing at the Metrodome, the Ravens would seem to be a significant underdog to the 5-0 Vikings, especially now that they've lost two straight.
But Baltimore's losses came to perennial power New England and to upstart Cincinnati and were by a combined 7 points. The Vikings have played two decent teams in San Francisco and Green Bay, but as a whole, their schedule has been among the easiest in the league. I expect a close game, but for the Ravens to come out on top.
Over on FOX, a pair of unbeatens will square off in New Orleans, where the 4-0 Saints will host the 5-0 New York Giants. Like the Vikings, the Giants have reeled off five wins against less-than-stellar competition, especially the last two weeks, when they've faced hapless Kansas City and Oakland. Drew Brees and the Saints already have impressive wins over Philadelphia and the New York Jets on their resume. I expect them to add another one over the Giants, but I'm not very confident in that pick.
Speaking of not being very confident in a pick, I really have no idea what will happen Sunday night in Atlanta when the Falcons host the Bears. I watch enough football and follow the league closely enough that I usually have some idea what will happen in a given game. Even if my read is wrong, as it frequently is, I almost always have a better feel going in for what will transpire than I do about this one.
Nothing would surprise me too much. While I anticipate a good game, I wouldn't be floored if either team won by 30 points, either. If anything, I expect a good deal of offense, as it could be a good time for Jay Cutler's real coming-out party ... and also for Matt Ryan and the Falcons to continue to click. My pick is for the Bears to win a squeaker (I've correctly guessed all four of their games so far) ... but I sure wouldn't bet the farm on them.
