SUN 27
Chargers at Bears (noon, Fox-32): The Chargers are banged up. Not that it matters a whole lot, but they’re 1-6 in their last seven games against the Bears. Also: They’re not particularly good at football. Frankly, there’s no better time for Mitch Trubisky to get his act together and have a fine few hours on the field. (Quote us on that last part, and we’ll deny having said it.)
Red Stars at North Carolina, NWSL championship (2:30 p.m., ESPN): Five straight seasons, pounding at the door — but finally the Red Stars made it through the semifinal round. Now they get the top-of-the-table Courage, who are unbeaten this season at WakeMed Soccer Park. Prediction: Sam Kerr with a golden boot for the title.
Packers at Chiefs (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5): A much-anticipated Aaron Rodgers-Patrick Mahomes duel only happens if the latter gunslinger’s right knee agrees. But worry not — even if Mahomes can’t go, you’ll still get to see Rodgers and him in another billion or so State Farm commercials.
MON 28
Bulls at Knicks (6 p.m., NBCSCH): Well, well, it seems old buddy Bobby Portis has found his way into a starting lineup. The Knicks have intriguing rookie RJ Barrett, too. But this is a cupcake team, folks — or maybe two of them. Another Bulls “L” here and we’ll have little choice but to brand them, too, with a sugary “C.”
TUE 29
Blackhawks at Predators (7 p.m., NBCSCH): Early on, the reigning Central champs are bingeing on goals. For those of you scoring at home, the reigning Central champs are not the Hawks. The Preds are shaky defensively, though, which, if we’re being honest, very definitely could be said about the Hawks.
WED 30
Bucks at Celtics (6:30 p.m., ESPN): There are some out there who see Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as the favorites to win it all. Most, though, are too lost in Lakers and Clippers hype to even notice a primo Eastern Conference matchup like this. Don’t be like most people.
THU 31
49ers at Cardinals (7:20 p.m., Fox-32, NFL Network): Jimmy Garoppolo. Kyler Murray. Maybe this isn’t a matchup of future Hall of Fame QBs, but we’ll take it. Besides, on the Trubisky scale? It might as well be as good as it gets.
FRI 1
Pistons at Bulls (7 p.m., NBCSCH): Welcome back to the United Center, Derrick Rose. You, too, Tony Snell. But mostly you, Derrick Rose. Could the Bulls still use this guy? Rose, not Snell. Let’s not even talk about it.
SAT 2
Rutgers at Illinois (2:30 p.m., BTN): Don’t adjust your dials — the Illini actually are massive favorites in this game. Somewhere along the line, the Scarlet Knights became the worst team ever to lace ’em up. A loss here for Lovie Smith and company would be nothing short of cataclysmic.
