Giants (5 issues):
- The Giants are coming off an ugly loss to the Titans at home, one in which they committed almost as many penalties as the Packers did vs. the Bears in Week 3.
- Eli Manning looked "Jay Cutler '09-esqe" in attempting a left-handed shovel type pass in the redzone that was intercepted. Desperate times may not agree with him.
- Brandon Jacobs is a shadow of his former self.
- Mario Manningham may miss the game with concussion issues.
- Tom Coughlin seems to be losing his team, and his persona may not be what is needed on a team who no longer has the veteran leadership of guys like Michael Strahan and Antonio Pierce.
Bears (5 positives):
- Jay Cutler was able to avoid having the "disaster" game that he experienced too often last year, as the Packers dropped a few interceptions and committed penalties on the times when he "threw the ball up" for grabs. As a result, his comfort level is still at an all-time high with the Bears and Mike Martz's offense.
- The Bears have beaten two of the three toughest opponents they will face all year, making the Giants on the road not seem quite so daunting.
- They've gone 3-0 without committing to the run game. This may be the game to do it, as there are now three games of film on the Mike Martz passing game. Look out for Chester Taylor and Matt Forte to get some more time in the backfield together (as they were at the start of the Packers game) and the Bears to incorporate the screen game to help out their offensive line. This should work against the Giants, who will be looking pass and pumped up for this game as they are definitely in desperation mode.
- Expect 2 sacks and at least 2 turnovers against Eli Manning. My guess--1 for Peppers and 1 for Anderson (sacks), and 1 pick from Bowman (comeback from last week's benching) and one from the fan favorite himself, Chris Harris.
- The Bears Special Teams got it's groove back last week, with 2 impressive Devin Hester punt returns and a blocked field goal. Expect that to continue under the primetime lights.
Prediction: Bears 27 Giants 17
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