NFL picks and predictions 2014, Bears vs. Falcons: Atlanta expected to rebound at home

Two NFC playoff hopefuls engage in an effort to get back to .500 with a win on Sunday.

Coming into the 2014 season, the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons seemed like solid bets to be playoff teams. Now, both find themselves 2-3 and on the brink of a nasty slide with another defeat. The good news for both is their respective divisions, in which the Bears and Falcons trail by a single game.

Chicago stumbled in Week 1 with a home loss to the Buffalo Bills but responded with two road wins in primetime over the 49ers and Jets. Then things got ugly with a 38-17 loss at Soldier Field to the hated Packers before the Bears blew a 21-7 advantage last week in a defeat to the Panthers. Part of the problem has been a 22nd-ranked rushing attack, with Matt Forte averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Last week, it was four Chicago turnovers which sealed its fate along with 10 penalties for 80 yards.

Atlanta appeared primed for a big season with an overtime win over the Saints to begin the season. Following a defeat to the Bengals, the Falcons creamed the Buccaneers 56-14 on Thursday Night Football but have not won since. Losses to the Vikings and Giants have dropped Atlanta to second place in the NFC South behind Carolina. The main issue is a patchwork offensive line that might finally be getting a bit healthier with the expected return of left guard Justin Blalock this week. The unit is already without tackles Lamar Holmes and Sam Baker and center Joe Hawley.

Over at ESPN.com, nine of the 13 experts believe the Falcons will get things going this week at the Georgia Dome after two road dates. It's a clean sweep at CBS Sports in favor of the Falcons, with only Dave Richard believing the Bears will cover the 3.5-point spread. USA Today shows Chicago a little love, with Lindsay H. Jones and Nate Davis picking the Monsters of the Midway, while the other five analysts went with Atlanta.

Here at SB Nation, the vote was practically split between our seven experts. The Falcons earned four of our predictions, with Stephen White, Joel Thorman and Matt Ufford rolling with Marc Trestman's team.

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