Thursday night wager: Rodgers to shine as Packers roll Bears
Just when we thought Thursday Night Football was doomed for another snoozefest, the Los Angeles Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers in a 41-39 thriller last week.
Related: Thursday Night Fun: Rams-49ers just saved the NFL season
It's going to be tough for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers to top that this Thursday in Wisconsin, but with Aaron Rodgers under center, anything is possible.
The wager: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-7)
For most of last Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals it looked as though the Packers would drop to 1-2 on the campaign. Then Rodgers flashed his trademark brilliance and led Green Bay on a game-tying drive in the last minute of regulation, before taking the offense down the field to win in overtime. The quarterback will have to be in top form again on Thursday, as it appears the Packers will be without both starting offensive tackles.
The Bears rebounded from an 0-2 start with a surprising 23-17 home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, thanks to a powerful rushing attack. The two-headed monster of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen ran wild in the overtime victory, combining for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
Chicago's defense held firm against Ben Roethlisberger in that game, but stopping Rodgers is a whole different animal. Look for the star pivot to have a big day, and the Packers' defense to limit the run and force Mike Glennon to beat them. Packers 28, Bears 17
Thursday picks record: 2-1