Point spread: Denver -3.5 Over/Under: 35.5 |
The battered Chicago Bears invade Mile High Stadium this Sunday afternoon to take-on Tim Tebow and the high-flying Denver Broncos in a crucial inter-conference clash for both team’s playoff hopes. Game time is set for 4:05 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast regionally on FOX.
Two weeks ago, Chicago lost its quarterback Jay Cutler with a hand injury. Last Sunday, in a 10-3 setback to Kansas City as a nine-point home favorite, it lost its running game with Matt Forte going down with a knee injury. If the Bears cannot quickly find a way to generate some offense with the players they do have left, they will lose their spot in the postseason.
Chicago is now 7-5 straight-up (6-6 against the spread) after two straight losses and battling for one of two wildcard spots in the crowded NFC race. The total has gone ‘over’ in seven of its 12 games this season.
Denver is riding a five-game winning streak behind a resurgent defense that has held its opponents to an average of 18.4 points a game during this stretch. The Broncos have also drawn inspiration from the play of its quarterback, Tim Tebow. His overall numbers are nothing to write home about, but his uncanny ability to make plays when he needs to the most are the main reason for this team’s recent success.
The Broncos are in the thick of the AFC West Division race with an overall record of 7-5 both SU and ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in seven of their 12 games this year.
Chicago is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games overall, but just 1-4 ATS in its last five games as an underdog. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of its last five games.
Denver is a perfect 5-0 ATS in its last five games, but just 1-4-1 ATS in its last six games at home. The total has gone ‘over’ in 10 of its last 11 games as a favorite.
The Bears offense has all but ground to a halt the last two weeks and will struggle even more with Forte out of the lineup so it will be up to their defense to keep this game close. Denver grinds out a sixth-straight win, but stick with Chicago to cover with the 3.5 points in a game that stays ‘under’ the total. Be sure to track the movement of this game’s lines at BetAnySports.com.
The Pick: Denver 16 Chicago 13
