Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Thursday Night Pick for Week 14

Posted by Matt Loede under Chicago Bears, Picks, Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) begins to lift up his jersey to reveal a T-shirt in honor of slain teammate Sean Taylor after his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Landover, Md. The Bills won 17-16. Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samules (60) is at left.

After a week of mourning the death of Sean Taylor, the Redskins will try to get back to some sort of normalcy as they host the Bears Thursday night. The Skins and Bears are both on the edge of being out of the NFC Playoff picture all together, as each sit at 5-7 making this game a must win or you can start playing on being home for New Years. Both teams lost in the late seconds last week, with the Skins falling at home 17-16 to the Bills, while the Bears lost 21-16 to the Giants at home. The key to this one will be if the Skins can create on offense some room for Clinton Portis, who has played well over the years vs Chicago. Portis has rushed for 457 yards and averages 6.4 yards per carry against the Bears. Expect a lot of him and some Jason Campbell throws as the heavy part of the Skins offense. For the Bears, Rex Grossman has to play better late, as the team only had three first downs after the 10 minute mark of the third quarter, and 38 fourth quarter yards. He has to make sure to stay away from the big mistakes, and so far in his second go around as starter he’s done that, throwing just one pick in his last four games.

The Bears are known for not playing all that well in the Nations Capital, losing eight of its last 10 and five of six. They lost 9-7 in their last meeting there back on September 11th, 2005. Expect to see the Skins ride the Taylor emotion train once again, but this time not get stopped by two foolish timeouts by Joe Gibbs as they end any hopes of a Bears playoff run with a win at home. Washington 23 Chicago 16