Most NFL exhibition games offer few clues to a team’s season prospects, provide little entertainment value and give a mere glimpse of starters’ capabilities.
But true football fans watch anyway. And they analyze.
Bears fans can start studying up when the team faces the Bills in an exhibition Saturday night.
How will quarterback Jay Cutler look? With a banged-up secondary, how do the backups look? Will unheralded wide receiver Brandon Rideau continue to impress?
Few answers will be provided, but let’s work on our Bears IQ anyway.
Friday
Pirates at Cubs, 1 p.m., WGN-Ch. 9
Randy Wells might want to think twice before heading to the mound. Cubs pitchers are so beat up it might be worth looking into whether they have been in Bourbonnais with the Bears. See how this series against the woeful Pirates turns out again at noon Saturday on CSN and
1 p.m. Sunday on WGN-Ch. 9.
White Sox at A’s, 9 p.m., WGN-Ch. 9
See how the acquisition of Alex Rios affects the crowded outfield and lineup — and to see if the move made any sense. Watch the last game of the series at 3 p.m. Sunday on CSN — Saturday’s game is blacked out due to Fox’s national coverage .
Saturday
Bears at Bills, 6 p.m.,
WFLD-Ch. 32
Finally a chance to see Jay Cutler perform as a Bear. And who knows? Too bad new Bills receiver Terrell Owens won’t be there to mix it up — he has a sore toe.
Gina Carano vs. Cristiane Santos, 9:30 p.m., Showtime
Carano is joining the league of Danica Patrick in the tough, marketable women category. In this MMA title bout, Carano will attempt to remain undefeated against Santos, a Brazilian bruiser. Plus, they have awesome nicknames. Carano goes by Conviction, Santos by Cyborg.
Lynx at Sky, 7 p.m.
The Sky is working to get into the playoff picture. See how it does against the mediocre Lynx at the UIC Pavilion.
Sunday
PGA Championship, 1 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Padraig Harrington showed at Firestone that he is in good form. Can the defending champion do more than push Tiger Woods this weekend?
Wizards vs. Fire, 2 p.m., WXFT-Ch. 60
Time to get back on track. The Fire saw its five-game unbeaten streak and 374-minute scoreless streak come to an end against Houston.
Carfax 400, 1 p.m., ESPN
Carl Edwards finished third at Watkins Glen. He will try to rebound at Michigan International Speedway to defend his title.
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sryan@tribune.com
