2013 NFL Picks: New York Giants @ Chicago Bears Odds and Predictions – Free Thursday Night Football Picks 10/10/2013

2013 NFL Picks: New York Giants @ Chicago Bears Odds and Predictions – Free Thursday Night Football Picks 10/10/2013: When the schedule was first released, Thursday night’s meeting between the New York Giants (0-5) and the Chicago Bears (3-2) figured to be a battle between potential playoff contenders. Instead, the game is going to be a showdown between a winless New York team that might be the worst in the NFL and a Chicago team that has lost two straight. While the Giants will just be trying to get somewhat on the right track this season, the Bears will be trying to prevent theirs from slipping away. Playing at Soldier Field, Chicago is a 7-point favorite.

With a coach and a quarterback that have teamed up for a pair of Super Bowl titles, the miserable start by the Giants is one of the bigger surprises in NFL this season. Yes, New York has a history of sleepwalking through the regular season, but this year’s group has been comatose. The Giants rank dead last in the NFL in rushing and Eli Manning has already thrown 12 interceptions. Meanwhile, the defense is allowing a league-high 36.4 points per game, and the normally formidable defensive front has managed just 5.0 sacks.

For Chicago, an improved offense has been somewhat offset by a struggling defense. Running back Matt Forte has 575 yards from scrimmage and Jay Cutler has 10 touchdowns for an offense that ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring. The emergence of Alshon Jeffrey as a legitimate No. 2 receiver across from Brandon Marshall has done wonders. On the flip side, the Bears are allowing the sixth-most points in the league on defense, and the unit currently ranks 24th against the pass and third last in sacks. Overall, Chicago has scored 145 points and allowed 140.

The Giants Win If:

First and foremost, the Giants cannot turn the ball over at their current rate and expect to go into Chicago and win. If Manning and company give the Bears short fields to work with on a routine basis, the New York defense is going to cave and Chicago is going to roll. Aside from avoiding mistakes, the Giants have to exploit the Chicago secondary early and often. Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle form a formidable trio of receivers, and if Manning can find them for big plays throughout the night, the Giants could win this one in a shootout.

The Bears Win If:

If the Bears are going to stop their losing streak, they need to get off to a solid start on the offensive side of the ball. The last thing Chicago wants to do is let a winless New York team hang around and stay within striking distance. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears need to limit the big plays the Giants can get in the passing game. More importantly, Chicago needs to exploit New York’s lack of a running game by pressuring Manning and forcing the Giants to continue to turn the ball over at a high right. If Cutler and company deliver a solid performance on offense and defense can prey on the mistake-prone Giants, Chicago should win this one comfortably.

Bottom Line:

While Chicago has plenty of issues of its own, the pale in comparison to what the Giants are dealing with. In Previous years, New York has been able to get by with clutch performances from Manning and strong showings from its defensive line. This season, Manning is a funk and the defense is a mess. Granted, Chicago’s generous secondary should allow the Giants to connect on a few big plays throughout the game, but the Bears’ defense remains one of the more opportunistic in the league. In fact, the unit has already notched six interceptions and forced a league-high 10 fumbles. Meanwhile, New York is an NFL-worst minus 13 in the turnover department this season. Both teams should have their moments on offense, but the Giants’ turnover problem will allow the Bears to take control and win the game.

Prediction: Chicago Bears (-7) Cover the Spread

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