NFL WEEK 14
GREG COTE'S THURSDAY PICK
COWBOYS (6-6) at BEARS (6-6)
Line: DAL by 2 {.
Cote's pick: DAL 20-17.
TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.
Two teams in desperation mode should make for an interesting, taut-as-a-tightrope kickoff to NFL Week 14 at Soldier Field, where temps in the low 30s will set a vintage tableau for wintry football. (Over/under on TV screenshots of Jerry Jones up in his suite: 3 {). Both teams played on Thanksgiving, and arrive trending oppositely _ Cowboys off two straight losses and Bears off consecutive wins. Both are solid defensively, while Dallas ' recent struggles with the ball along with Mitchell Trubisky's recent upswing in performance make it closer on the offensive side. Still: Edge to Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott behind a stout O-line. Prescott has pitched a 100.2 passer rating in seven career Thursday starts, while Elliott should benefit from the expected continued injury absence of Chitown DT and run-stopping anchor Akiem Hicks. No outcome except a shootout would surprise here, and an upset by home-dogs Bears surely tempts, but I'm sticking with my lean to a bounceback by the 'Boys.
