Sun-Times Picks: Cowboys at Bears on Thursday night

The Chicago Sun-Times’ experts weigh in on the Bears’ Thursday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Believe it or not, some like the Bears.

RICK MORRISSEY

Cowboys 27-21

I know the Cowboys are coming off a 33-10 loss to the Eagles on Thanksgiving. But what I know more than anything is how badly the Bears have looked most of the season. Throw in Dallas’ 5-0 road record, and you’re looking at another loss for the struggling home team. Season: 6-6

RICK TELANDER

Cowboys 28-24

I don’t know what the deal is with these Thursday games, but if there’s a pattern here, the Bears are toasted turkey skin. They got cooked Thanksgiving Day by the Lions in Detroit, and now they have the Cowboys, Jerry Jones’ youthful face-lift and all. Dallas has a real reason to win — the playoffs. Season: 7-5

Adam L. Jahns

Cowboys 27-20

The Cowboys may not the world-beaters they were earlier in the season, but they’re still better than the reeling Bears. After getting thumped by the Eagles last week and the playoffs to play for, Dallas has its motivations, too. This year, the cold won’t bother the Cowboys, who are undefeated on the road. Season: 5-7

MARK POTASH

Cowboys 31-24

With their playoff hopes all but out the window, the Bears are due for a supreme effort at home. And the Cowboys — on the road, in the cold — are on pace for another second-half collapse. All the ingredients are there for an upset, but this just isn’t the Bears’ year. Season: 8-4

PATRICK FINLEY

Bears 31-30

I haven’t lost a pick since Week 7. I must have a death wish Thursday, but we’ll go with the ol’ Cowboys-stink-after-November rule (they’ve won 40 percent since 1996) with the it’s-cold-at-Soldier-Field corollary. Am I crazy? Is Jay Cutler really Midwestern Tony Romo, or is Romo the Lone Star Cutler? My head hurts. Season: 6-6

HUB ARKUSH

Bears 30-27

I’ve seen teams quit before and I’m not sure that’s these Bears. Poorly coached, lacking leadership, in need of change? Yes, all of the above. But something tells me they’ve got one left in them for the right matchup and that could be the Cowboys. Remember how they hammered them on a cold night in December last year? That Bears defense was 32nd vs. the run, this one is 10th. This Dallas defense is 22nd vs. the run and 20th vs. the pass and might just be tailor-made for the Bears if they will let Matt Forte lead them. The coach gets that, doesn’t he? Season: 7-5