Ravens vs Bears NFL Handicapping
The Chicago Bears will take to the field with their backup quarterback at the helm once again this weekend to take on a struggling Baltimore Ravens squad whose road trouble over the last few seasons have been well-documented.
Baltimore Ravens (4-5) at Chicago Bears (5-4)
Date: Sunday, November 17, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field
City: Chicago, Illinois
O/U Odds: 45
Spread: Chicago -3
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Josh McCown was called into action in Chicago’s last game with the Bears down eight points and while he was able to lead the team on a drive that resulted in a touchdown, the team couldn’t convert on the ensuing two-point conversion and fell to Detroit by a score of 21-19.
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Starting quarterback Jay Cutler was relatively ineffective in his first game back from a groin injury that caused him to miss multiple weeks, completing 21 of 40 passes for 250 yards and a score with an interception. Conversely, McCown completed six of nine passes for 62 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over.
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The team’s two big receiving targets each had big days, with Brandon Marshall hauling in seven balls for 139 yards and a pair of scores and Alshon Jeffery catching nine passes for 114 yards. Detroit has made a point of stopping the run of late, and they did that in this one, limiting Matt Forte to just 33 yards on 17 carries.
The banged up Chicago defense had plenty of trouble slowing the always potent Detroit offense. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 18 of 35 passes for 219 yards and three scores with an interception, while Reggie Bush ran for 105 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson hauled in six balls for 83 yards and two scores.
Baltimore did all they could to give their last game away, but they were able to eke past Cincinnati in overtime, 20-17.
The Ravens led that game 17-0, but weren’t able to score a single point in the second half, then allowed the Bengals to convert on a Hail Mary pass in the closing moments of regulation to tie the game and force overtime.
That single play, a 51 yard pass to A.J. Green, wasted what had otherwise been a good day for the team’s defense.
The Baltimore offense was surprisingly ineffective at home, getting held to 189 yards of offense against an injury-depleted Cincinnati defense.
A big reason for their struggles is that running back Ray Rice is clearly playing hurt, despite the fact that he won’t admit it. He turned 18 carries into just 30 yards against the Bengals.
Both teams are banged up on defense, but it’s the Bears who will be hosting this game, and the Ravens simply aren’t the same team away from M&T Bank Stadium.
The Chicago offense hasn’t lost a step when Josh McCown has been under center, and they should put up some points in this one.
The play: Chicago -3
