NFL Week 5 Betting Previews- Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Point spread: Detroit -5.5 Over/Under: 47.5 |
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The Chicago Bears tangle with the undefeated Detroit Lions under the prime time lights of Monday Night Football this week in a classic black and blue battle of division rivals. The game is scheduled to get underway from Ford Field at 8:30 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Chicago comes into this game with a 2-2 record straight-up (1-3 against the spread) after getting by Carolina 34-29 last Sunday as a seven-point home favorite. The week before, it dropped a 27-17 decision to Green Bay as a four-point home underdog. The total went ‘over’ the 41.5-point line against the Panthers, but stayed ‘under’ the 45.5-point line against the Packers.
The Bears’ offense is still sketchy with an average of just 307.8 yards a game, which is ranked 26th in the NFL. The real surprise has been their normally stout defense. Chicago is ranked 31st overall; giving up an average of 425.8 yards of total offense a game and tied for 20th in points allowed; giving up an average of 24.5 points a game.
Detroit has been the biggest surprise in the NFL so far with a 4-0 SU start (3-0-1 ATS) that has it tied with Green Bay for the lead in the NFC North as the only two undefeated teams left in the league. It has not been an easy ride with dramatic comebacks against Minnesota and Dallas, but this is a team that is finally learning how to win. Scoring points has also helped as the total has gone ’over’ in all four games.
Since losing every game in 2008, Detroit has done a great job at using its favorable position in the draft to acquire the necessary pieces to turn things around. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been able to stay healthy and has the Lions averaging 33.8 points a game. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been responsible for a good chunk of this production with 24 receptions for 321 yards and eight TD’s.
The Bears are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games as road underdogs and 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six of their last eight games against the NFC North.
The Lions are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games as home favorites and 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in nine of their last 12 games against the NFC.
Chicago has won the last six games SU, but Detroit is 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of the last five games between the two.
Stick with the Lions to once again find a way to win, but bet on the Bears to keep things close enough to cover in this heated rivalry.
The Pick: Detroit 23 Chicago 20
