Benster and D Pick Your Game -- Annoying NFL Network Required Service Edition

Hi everyone, we're back. If you noticed, last week we kinda brought the stink in our predictions.

Shhh. Maybe they forgot.

No they didn't, Geritol Fan! I've been hearing the murmuring voices all week long. Would you believe that there are actually 49ers fans in Minnesota?

Are you sure those aren't just Vikings fans jumping on a bandwagon?

Could be, and it might just be people who enjoy giving me grief because I'm such an open Packers fan. And I'm not especially subtle about it.

Subtle as a Panzer division, actually.

Well, someone's gotta sell the story! You old people are afraid of your own shadows! But anyway, we're here a little early this week because the annoying NFL Network has started hijacking one game a week and putting on Thursday night. And since Decrepit won't pop for the Ultra-Expensive Hoover Your Wallet Sports and Entertainment tier on the ol' cable, we won't see the game unless he drives to Hudson or something. But that won't stop me from making a pick! Watch me work:

Bear Down Chicago da Bearz (+6) vs. Glorious and Somewhat Bruised Green Bay Packers. Back to Lambeau only four days after the hideous results of last Sunday, in which our heroes were thrashed about the neck and ears by the dastardly Jim Harbaugh, who really, really, really ought to try the decaf, as the old dude is fond of saying. Now come da Bearz, who have spent the offseason acquiring very tall people to catch Jay Cutler's errant throws. They brought in Brandon Marshall, a talented but goofy fellow who had some success with Cutler back in Denver. Marshall is a classic diva wide receiver, of the school of Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Devin Aromashadu. No, that's not right. Aromashadu isn't full of himself. Anyway, you get the point. Raging ego and certainly some talent. But here's the question for da Bearz -- when are they going to fix the offensive line? Last I saw, it looked like they were still thinking about removing Keith Van Horne and Mark Bortz from the Chicago branch of Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum. That's a problem when you are facing a Dom Capers defense. You may not have noticed this, but I'm sure Lovie Smith did -- the Packers had 4 sacks last week against the 49ers, who have a significantly better O-line than da Bearz. Another thing to consider is this: the Packers are in the position of being the desperate team at home. This is a tried and true Benster formula for success, especially when you consider that the 49ers did not have an answer for Randall Cobb or James Jones. I think this one could be high scoring and if Jay Cutler spends a lot of time on his back, he'll have a hard time throwing the ball to Brandon Marshall. He might end up throwing the ball to Brandon Cruz instead. And I have no idea who that is -- the old dude made me put in that link. Pack 49, da Bearz 17.

Oh, it will be closer than that, young fella. Da Bearz are improved, I suspect, although their defense isn't getting any younger. The Packers did not play well last week, but it was mostly because the 49ers were better. I think the Packers are going to win, too, but it won't be easy. Packers 34, Bears 27.

We'll be back on Friday with more picks. In the meantime, here's a shout-out to our pal Gino, who would have been really disappointed in us if we didn't pick this game. Have a video, Gino, and don't say we never did anything for ya! Ben out!