Monday Night Football – Lions vs Bears Betting
Headline: NFC North Showdown Highlights NFL Week 7 Schedule
The Detroit Lions will look to erase the memories of an unflattering start to their 2012 campaign when they travel to Chicago in Week 7 to take on a Bears squad that has been impressive thus far and is coming off their bye. With the NFC North wide open, every divisional game is critical – needless to say this should be an interesting matchup.
Detroit Lions (3-3) vs. Chicago Bears (4-1)
Date/Time: Monday, October 22, 8:30 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field
Broadcast: ESPN
Lions vs. Bears Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Bears -5 (-100)
Moneyline: Lions +200: Bears -240
Over/Under: 47 1/2 points
The Detroit Lions pulled one out of the fire in Week 6 against Philadelphia to get their record to .500. In that game, Matthew Stafford finally lived up to expectations and Calvin Johnson looked like… Calvin Johnson.
The Lions currently own the second best passing offense in the league with an average of 319.80 yards per game – surprising considering that many have criticized the state of this offense. A major problem has been the 19th ranked running game that has yet to find an identity. They should get better with Mikael Leshoure healthy and ready to assume the full time role at running back.
That said, the onus will likely fall on the passing game again this week – nobody has run on Chicago all year. The Lions have been one dimensional and will likely continue to be this week – not a great signs heading into a matchup with the ball-hawking Chicago defense.
Detroit’s defense has been OK this year – 16th against the pass and 12th versus the run. The issue is points against – this team allows 27.40 points per game which is not nearly good enough in this league.
The Chicago Bears emerge from their bye 4-1 but you wouldn’t think so with all of the yapping coming out of the windy city! The Bears can thank the defense for their hot start! Currently Chicago sits 23rd in passing offense and 10th in rushing but thanks to their defense the team is second in the NFL in scoring – 29.80 points per game.
It’s true that Chicago has weapons. Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte are formidable at very least but the complaining and in-fighting has to stop. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
As mentioned, Chicago’s defense has been off the charts this year. They are #1 versus the run, they allow the fewest points per game in the league (14.20), and they lead the league in sacks and takeaways. Their one minor weakness is against the pass – 14th ranked allowing 225 yards per game. But as we have seen – if you make a mistake against the passing defense, they might just take it the other way for six!
Betting Prediction:
A few trends to consider:
• The total has gone OVER in 11 of Detroit’s last 13 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing Chicago
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games
• Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
• Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
• Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The Detroit Lions haven’t impressed anybody this year against some weak defenses. Now they have the task of facing one of the most dominant defenses in the game on the road and that had an extra week to prepare. I can’t see it going well! Chicago is a complete team – they can and will hurt you on both sides of the ball. I like the Bears by a touchdown at least this week as they continue their quest for an improbable NFC North division title.
Pick: Chicago Bears -5
