Cowboys vs. Bears 2014 picks and predictions: Little belief in Chicago this week

The experts are piling on the Bears this week.

Dec 4, 2014, 3:00 PM UTC

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The Chicago Bears maintain they're not out of the playoff race. For that to remain true, they'll need to upset the Dallas Cowboys this week on Thursday Night Football.

Though Dallas suffered an embarrassing home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys remain one of the NFL's most dangerous teams. Running back DeMarco Murray still possesses a realistic shot at rushing for 2,000 yards while Tony Romo is slowly healing from the two bone fractures he suffered earlier in the season. With wide receiver Dez Bryant creating mismatches on the outside, Dallas can score against any defense, especially a middling one like Chicago's.

Talent-wise, the Bears' offense should be producing at or near the top of the league statistically. However, injuries to Alshon Jeffery (questionable to play Thursday with a tweaked hamstring), Brandon Marshall, and multiple offensive linemen have derailed their campaign. The struggles have led to widespread criticism of head coach and offensive play caller Marc Trestman and quarterback Jay Cutler. With their season on the line, both could use a strong outing against Dallas.

The experts are nearly all in on the Cowboys this week. It’s a full sweep over at CBS Sports with all members of their eight-man panel picking Dallas.

CBS Sports senior writer Pete Prisco had this to say about the game:

Both of these teams will have a week of rest before a Thursday game, which is rare. Both teams were blown out on Thanksgiving Day, so they need a bounce-back. The Cowboys are the better team. I think an offense that struggled against the Eagles will get it cranked up here against a bad Bears defense. Cowboys get back on track.

Here at SB Nation, six of our seven experts are leaning toward the Cowboys.