NFL Picks And Predictions Week 16: Bears Vs. Packers

Dec 23, 2011, 1:01 PM UTC

When the Chicago Bears hit 7-3 coming out of the Week 11 action, most fans were thinking about playoff matchups, but now the team is sitting at 7-7 and hoping Josh McCown can keep their very slim playoff hopes alive against the Green Bay Packers. CBS Sports' panel of five experts has weighed in on the Bears' chances this week, but unfortunately they are in complete agreement that the Packers will win to sweep the season series. Here is what Pete Prisco had to say in his personal picks column:

The Bears have been a disaster on offense since Jay Cutler got hurt. Caleb Hanie can't get it done. The Packers looked lifeless last week against the Chiefs, so that won't be the case here. Green Bay does have some injury concerns up front on the offensive line, and that's a worry with Julius Peppers on the other side, but Aaron Rodgers doesn't have two so-so games in a row. Packers get back on track. Packers 31, Bears 17.

A loss would mathematically eliminate the Bears from playoff contention. Here's how the rest of the NFC North is treated: the panel has a 4-1 split siding with the San Diego Chargers over the Detroit Lions, and a 4-1 split selecting the Washington Redskins to beat the lowly Minnesota Vikings.

The ESPN experts aren't much kinder. All ten think the Packers will win this game and crush the Bears' playoff hopes.

For more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

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