The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ game Sunday against the Patriots at Soldier Field (noon, Fox 32):
Rick Morrissey
Bears, 24-14: Coming off two humiliating defeats, the Bears need a life preserver. Enter the Patriots, who are 2-7 for a reason. Did I mention it’s a home game for the Bears? It’s a home game. So why don’t I feel confident about this pick? Season: 6-2.
Rick Telander
Bears, 21-19: Like the fool who does the same thing over and over expecting different results, I’m picking the Bears. They can’t be as bad as my sane side tells me they are. Season: 5-3.
Scoop Jackson
Bears, 30-21: The AFC East’s worst v. The NFC North’s worst. An unbalanced crossroads where the outcome, depending on the team, will be uneven. A Bears loss would be the worst of not only this season but of this generation. Season: 5-3.
Patrick Finley
Bears, 24-13: The Bears’ last easy day is Sunday — even with the worst-in-the-NFL Patriots on their schedule, they have, by far, the most difficult remaining strength of schedule in the league. Season: 7-1.
Jason Lieser
Bears, 20-16: Should the Bears clobber the NFL’s last-place team? Should the Bears be better than 4-4? Should No. 1 pick Caleb Williams outplay No. 3 pick Drake Maye? Yes, but it’s hard to count on the Bears for anything right now. Season: 5-3.
Mark Potash
Bears, 23-16: In a recurring movie, this is the scene where the struggling Bears rally for a big victory over an inferior opponent, eliciting hope that they are back on their feet and on their way toward glory. Season: 5-3.