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Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
The Green Bay Packers have been everything that everyone thought they would be in 2011, and now they will kick off division play on Sunday with a matchup against the Chicago Bears in the Windy City.
Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
Venue/Stadium: Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois
Time/Date: 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, September 25, 2011 on FOX
NFL Odds From: BetOnline.com
Moneyline: Packers -200, Bears +170
Spread (ATS): Packers -3 ½, -110
Over/Under: 45 ½, -110
It has been more that eight months since the Packers and Bears last met, and last time, the Packers moved on to the Super Bowl.
The Bears have since moved on, and so far in 2011 have looked much-improved despite being overwhelmed by the New Orleans Saints last week 30-13. The loss to the Saints shows how far the NFL has changed in just the last few years.
The Chicago defense, a unit that should still be considered among the best in the league, was dominated by a Saints offense that likely won’t finish the season as the best (although they’ll be close).
The Bears need to find consistency if they want to carve out a playoff berth, and a game against the defending Super Bowl champs may not be their best chance to find it. Chicago defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-12, and then the next week failed to show up against New Orleans. It is this same reason why a lot of people don’t think that Jay Cutler will ever be an elite quarterback.
But don’t fault Cutler alone, he has been sacked 11 times so far this season, including six times last week against New Orleans. This is another major factor in the lack of productivity for Cutler, and if Chicago wants to give him the best chance to succeed, they need to give him time to survey the field.
Meanwhile, the question of “elite or not” ended last season for Aaron Rodgers when he captured his first Super Bowl ring. Now, he is considered one of, if not the best quarterbacks in the league. He has stormed out of the gates this year, passing for 620 yards and five touchdowns in his first two games. But he will face his biggest challenge of the year against Chicago.
Despite this, he shouldn’t have a problem, especially if you look at what Drew Brees did to the same unit just a week ago.
The odds makers have the Green Bay Packers as a -3.5 point favorite with an over/under of 45.5.
Matt’s Prediction: Packers 10, Bears 3—A lot of people expect Green Bay to put up big numbers in every game –that isn’t going to happen. The Packers are heading into a hostile environment in Chicago, and the Bears are known for holding divisional opponents to low scoring games. Nonetheless, the Packers will come out on top. Take the easy under.
Need more help making your picks winners? Check out our top handicappers.
Green Bay Packers Betting Trends:
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Green Bay’s last 5 games
- Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Green Bay’s last 12 games on the road
- Green Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago Bears Betting Trends:
- Chicago15-7-1 SU in its last 23 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago’s last 10 games
- Chicago is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
- Chicago is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games
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