Expert Picks: Cardinals at Bears in Week 2

The Chicago Sun-Times offers their picks for the Bears’ Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on Sunday.

RICK MORRISSEY

Cardinals 24-17

Carson Palmer would seem like a big drop-off after Aaron Rodgers, but the Cardinals quarterback threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns last week in a victory over New Orleans. Oh, and he wasn’t sacked once. The Bears’ defensive line, ineffective last week against the Packers, needs to get busy. Season: 1-0

RICK TELANDER

Bears 24-21

Revisionist history has begun. To wit, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says Jay Cutler “might be the most misunderstood quarterback in the league.” Misunderstood how? Like, he’ll win this game? Like he won’t throw a key pick or drop a fumble? I’ll trust you one time, Bruce. Season: 1-0

ADAM L. JAHNS

Bears 27-24

With Marc Trestman gone, this matchup lacks some luster it would have had with Cardinals coach Bruce Arians coming to town. As everyone knows, the Bears passed over Arians for Trestman in 2013. But the Bears are able to build off some their positives from Week 1 and their pass rush shows signs of life. Plus, it helps that Vic Fangio is very familiar with the Cardinals’ offense. Season: 1-0

MARK POTASH

Cardinals 20-17

Bears figure to take a step forward in Week 2 under John Fox, but the Cardinals’ speed is a difference-maker. If Jay Cutler can avoid the big turnover and Vic Fangio’s defense can force one, the Bears will win. But those are big ifs this early in the Fox era. Season: 1-0

PATRICK FINLEY

Cardinals 24-23

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is 14-2 in his last 16 starts, the same record as the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. With a backup running back, he’ll throw it a lot Sunday. Let’s see if the Bears can actually touch the quarterback this time around. Season: 1-0