Betting Odds
Cutler hasn't had to win the games with his arm as the Bears have become a run first offense.
Total: 45
San Diego was overwhelmed in a 24-17 loss to Oakland last Thursday night, their fourth loss in a row. Chicago won for the fourth-time in a row with a decisive 37-13 victory over Detroit last Sunday.
San Diego’s offense has been de-railed by injuries to key players and the mounting turnovers by QB Philip Rivers (career-tying 15 picks and three lost fumbles, NFL-high 18 TOs). Chicago’s defense is playing much better over the past month and has allowed only 16 points-per-game over their current winning streak. The Bears are allowing 5.1 yards-per-rush on the season but RBs Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews will find tough sledding vs. this much-improved front seven. WR Vincent Jackson has played well lately and will look for soft spots in the Bears secondary. However, Chicago’s pass rush is getting good pressure on QBs and Rivers was sacked six times last week. LT Marcus McNeill (check status) missed most of last week’s game and it showed. Backup LT Brandyn Dombrowski was savaged for four sacks by Oakland’s DE Kamerion Wimbley and will really have his hands full with DE Julius Peppers.
Chicago has averaged 32.5 points during their winning streak and face a defense that has had issues stopping the run and pass over the past month. RB Matt Forte is a great dual threat who is getting it done on the ground (166-869-3) and through the air (42-439-1). He is the leading receiver by 20 catches and amongst the NFL leaders in rushing. His play and the vastly-improved play of the O-line have allowed QB Jay Cutler to be comfortable in the pocket. Cutler has responded well and while he has a fairly non-descript group of wideouts, he manages to get them all involved. San Diego is allowing 30 points-per-game during their losing streak and average two sacks per game. They have also had trouble containing physical running games, something they will face this week.
ATS Pick
This is usually the time the Chargers reel off eight or nine wins in a row but that isn’t likely this season. Rivers is not himself and the defense is having trouble stopping anyone. Chicago has been trending up since their humiliating loss on a Monday night to Detroit six weeks ago. WR-RS Devin Hester had another return for a TD last week and San Diego still has some issues in their coverage teams. All in all, this looks like a victory for the home team as both streaks get extended.
Take the Bears
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