Giants vs. Bears: Week 2 staff picks and predictions

The New York Giants (0-1) will take on the Chicago Bears (1-0) at Soldier Field in their second game of the 2020 regular season.

Experts are leaning heavily toward the Bears this week — 7:3 — with most of those expecting a relatively close game.

How does the Giants Wire staff see this Week 2 battle shaking out? Here’s a look at our picks and score predictions:

Dan Benton: Giants 23, Bears 21

The Giants had every opportunity to take a lead into the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 and lost it due to their own miscues, not because it was taken from them. While the Bears defense is still solid, it’s not on the same level as the Steelers’. With a week to get re-focused, I expected the Joe Judge-coached Giants to trim down on those errors and show an improvement across the board. That will be just enough to pick up win No. 1.

John Fennelly: Bears 27, Giants 23

The Giants had a hard time keeping up with Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller last year and with a new secondary that is still learning to play together they’re likely to have an hard time again. On offense, if the line can’t keep Daniel Jones clean and open up lanes for Saquon Barkley they won’t win many games this year — or any year for that matter. The Bears are an average team but the Giants are still below average so there’s no way I can pick the Giants here, that is, unless Joe Judge worked miracles in the last five days.

Doug Rush: Giants 23, Bears 20

The Giants on the road in Solider Field after a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 at home…

Saquon Barkley was held to just six yards on the ground against a superior Steelers defense. The Bears defense allowed over 100-plus yards on the ground to Detroit and almost 100 yards to the ageless Adrian Peterson, so Barkley should have a bounce-back game.

But can the offensive line improve? Nick Gates will get a second game at center and will need to play better, as will Cam Fleming at right tackle, who was abysmal in Week 1. If Fleming can’t hold up his end, Matt Pratt needs to see the field ASAP.

What do we expect from Daniel Jones in Week 2? He was sacked three times and intercepted twice in Week 1, but he didn’t fumble the ball, which was his biggest challenge from a year ago. If Jones can have a clean game in Chicago and move the ball with efficiency, there should be no reason why the Giants can’t leave the Windy City without a win.

Tyler Henry: Giants 24, Bears 20

After a disappointing game that at some points felt winnable, I think the Giants rebound and get a win against Chicago. Pass protection won’t get much easier for Big Blue as they are going up against one of the leagues best in Khalil Mack. I think Daniel Jones will learn from his big mistake in Week 1 and something tells me that Saquon Barkley won’t have back-to-back games of little production. The defense came out hungry in Week 1 and I think that may have been a product of the coaching staff (not necessarily a bad thing). The Bears had a big come back in Week 1 and often in the NFL, blowouts and dramatic wins are followed up by let downs. I have a feeling the Giants will come away with the win in this one.

Kevin Hickey: Giants 21, Bears 19

The Giants defense looked better than expected in prime time against the Steelers and while that shouldn’t bring unwarranted optimism, there’s a chance they pull off an upset on the road.

The Bears offense isn’t one that should bring fear to Big Blue. They have a meager rushing attack and as long as Mitchell Trubisky is under center, the Giants will have a chance. Stopping Allen Robinson will be a hefty task in its own right.

But the Giants’ offense showed it can be effective. The connection between Daniel Jones and Darius Slayton is growing stronger. Saquon Barkley should be in for a better night — there’s nowhere to go but up.

It’s gonna be ugly and there will be some frustrating moments, but I’m calling for the first big win of Joe Judge’s Head coaching career.

Mike Moraitis: Bears 20, Giants 17

Another week, another tough defense for the Giants to face. The Bears might not be scary offensively, but they have a stout defense led by star pass rusher, Khalil Mack. Big Blue’s offensive line left a lot to be desired in Week 1 and until we see things improve, it’s hard to envision Daniel Jones consistently getting enough time to make plays through the air, especially if Saquon Barkley can’t get going on the ground against a tough front seven. Big Blue struggles to score points once again in this contest, and Mitchell Trubisky, David Montgomery and the Bears’ offense does just enough to notch the win.

Jeevan Kirkland: Giants 24, Bears 20

Saquon Barkley and the Giants will be hungry to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season. Barkley will be looking to prove his doubters wrong after an abysmal six-yard performance on Monday night. While it may be hard to get going against a stout defense such as the Bears you have to believe that it is almost impossible to stop Saquon twice in a row. The defense also has a much easier task this week in a Chicago team that showed signs of offensive improvement last week but not enough to disregard the constant troubles they have faced the past couple of years. The Giants should be able to get some momentum going in this game and edge out a tough Chicago team.

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