Cincinnati vs Chicago NFL Football Spread/Handicapping
Though it is not a feature game in terms of television this should be one of the better contests of the opening week. Cincinnati enters the season on the hunt for a third straight visit to the postseason while Chicago is looking to quickly erase last year’s second half collapse.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) vs Chicago Bears (0-0)
Sunday September 8
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL 1:00PM
Moneyline: Chicago -150, Cincinnati +130
Spread: Chicago -3
O/U: 41.5
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Both teams are solid on both sides of the ball with the number seemingly reflecting only that the Bears have an advantage of being the host team. I don’t peg these squads as being that equal and have never liked the composition of the Bears squad, which has retooled in some key areas this season.
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I am not sure Chicago can repeat last year’s success while I think Cincinnati will return to the playoffs again this season, hopefully they won’t have to play Houston who has eliminated them two years in a row.
Cincinnati
I am really high on Cincinnati this year. They have been good the past couple of seasons and I like the way they added to their offense at the draft with new playmakers for an offense that could use more sizzle beyond awesome receiver A.J. Green.
Their defense is already one of the best in the league and is filled with players at the right age where they can continue to incrementally improve. The best thing about the defense is how they get after the passer. No matter the situation they are great at dumping quarterbacks on their ass and harassing them into big plays. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The key for this team in the opener and all season long will be QB Andy Dalton. If he can grow his game just a little bit more the offense will be a great compliment to their defense and they can win the division.
I think it is all going to start coming together this year beginning on Sunday. Sorry Bears fans.
Chicago
After a bad collapse to close the year last year the Bears have a couple of new key components for 2013 , neither of which I think are going to help them win in Week 1. The first is new coach Marc Trestman. The quarterback guru is supposed to get Jay Cutler over the hump but I don’t see the veteran changing his game all that much.
The other new component is new middle linebacker D.J. Williams who is replacing long time Bears leader Brian Urlacher. Again I am not sure this is an upgrade, especially not in the leadership department.
The Bears should be a very solid team this season but I see them peaking at 8-8. More importantly I see them dropping this opening game. A lot of change does not always equal progress in the NFL and Chicago is going to learn that the hard way.
Spread Pick: Cincinnati +3
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Cincinnati 27 – Chicago 17
