SUN 15
Bears at Packers (noon, Fox-32):
A strange, dispiriting, unfulfilling season for the Bears began with an unspeakably hideous offensive performance in a 10-3 loss to the Packers in Week 1. Fearless prediction: Mitch Trubisky and his mates will find the end zone at least once at Lambeau Field. If they don’t, they might as well add their names to Green Bay’s season-ticket waiting list and put down some roots. They won’t be welcome home any time soon.
Bills at Steelers (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5):
This one’s a real gem. The 9-4 Bills can either clinch a playoff spot with a victory or get passed by the 8-5 Steelers with a defeat. The coaches — Buffalo’s Sean McDermott and Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin — are pals who played together at William & Mary. And how about the out-of-nowhere story of Steelers undrafted rookie quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges? The football universe needed him after 16 years of having to spell “Roethlisberger.”
MON 16
Bulls at Thunder (7 p.m., NBCSCH):
It’s the Bulls’ first look at Chris Paul in an OKC uniform. Something tells us the nine-time All-Star point guard is about as thrilled to be playing for this nowhere-bound squad as he is to be watching his house get destroyed in those interminably airing State Farm commercials.
Colts at Saints (7:15 p.m., ESPN):
Last Sunday, Drew Brees threw for 349 yards and five touchdowns — and lost 48-46 at home to the 49ers anyway. The 10-3 Saints’ offense clearly is dialed all the way up, but this team can’t be seen as a legit Super Bowl contender unless a middle-of-the-road defense rallies mightily.
WED 18
Avalanche at Blackhawks (7 p.m., NBCSN):
The Avs outscored the Hawks 12-5 in a back-to-back wipeout at the end of November. The moral of that story: Nathan MacKinnon and the visitors are a Stanley Cup-caliber team. Any chance the goal-starved Hawks can be something better than yesterday’s news for one night?
THU 19
Lakers at Bucks (7 p.m., TNT):
It’s best on best — the runaway favorites in the West and East doing battle. This is the sort of thing one watches if he or she, you know, likes sports.
Rockets at Clippers (9:30 p.m., TNT):
Don’t discount either of these teams, though. Houston’s James Harden is averaging over 38 points, which is, according to our records, rather good.
SAT 21
Illinois vs. Missouri (noon, SEC Network):
The annual Braggin’ Rights game at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis is hotter than all get-out again. Mizzou is led in scoring by Illinois transfer Mark Smith and holds the aforementioned braggin’ rights after ending the Illini’s five-game winning streak in the series last season. The Tigers also have big man Jeremiah Tilmon, a former five-star recruit who originally committed to Illinois. But Tilmon has to tangle with Illini freshman center Kofi Cockburn, a budding superstar. Advantage: orange.
Bulls at Pistons (6 p.m., NBCSCH):
Just sayin’, the Bulls are 2-0 in the season series. It’s nice to think they might be clearly better than somebody — anybody — isn’t it?
Northwestern at DePaul (7:30 p.m., CBSSN):
Back when the Wildcats were on the NCAA Tournament rise, this might’ve seemed like an easy ‘W’ to schedule. Times sure have changed. Charlie Moore and the impressive Blue Demons are endeavoring to put the “win” in Wintrust right before our very eyes.
