Football Betting

Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers Pointspread Free Pick

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers once again take the grid-iron in a matchup that will showcase two very good teams. The NFL betting odds in the sportsbook for this game have remained pretty much the same since the line was introduced some during the late spring and early summer. Chicago will go into this game with a new quarterback in Jay Cutler, an established running back in second year guy Matt Forte, and an aging, yet still agile defense.

The Green Bay Packers will go into this game with both an established quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, an established running back in Ryan Grant and a defense that still needs to prove itself. The NFL betting odds no doubt will reflect what the Packers face in this game even though they are the home team.

Here are the NFL betting odds in the BetUS online sportsbook for this game.

• Chicago Bears +3 ½ -110 +165 O 46 ½ -110
• Green Bay Packers -3 ½ -110 -200 U 46 ½ -110
  

Here are a few online wagering trends in this game.

• The Chicago Bears are 0 and 4 ATS in their last 4 games versus an opponent from the NFC North.
• The Road Team is 13-6-1 ATS in the last 20 games between these to teams.
• The Underdog is 4 and 1 in the last 5 meetings between these two teams.
• The Green Bay Packers are 1 and 4 ATS in their last 5 games as the favorite at home.
  
  

Make no mistake, this is a rivalry game which is one of the reason the NFL betting odds are what they are. The Packers are only favored by 3 ½ even though they are healthy and are only two years removed from the NFC Conference Championship game.

Then again, the Chicago Bears have a new quarterback in Jay Cutler who no doubt should help this team offensively. With Cutler and Forte and Devin Hester improving as a wide receiver, the Bears have a chance to be very good in 2009.

But will that translate to them being good in regards to the NFL betting odds in this game?

Maybe. The Green Bay Packers will be looking to bounce back as well, but these two teams for some reason play well in their opponents stadium and not well at home. Because of that, the best wager of the NFL betting odds above is the money line where the Bears are at +165.

I say roll the dice on the Chicago Bears at the NFL betting odds of +165 to beat the Green Bay Packers on the road.

NFL Off-season Losers

NFL betting enthusiasts that are gearing up for the start of the 2009 NFL season should know that, in the new-age NFL, franchises that makes the right free agent transactions during the NFL’s annual offseason free agent signing period, can be lifted from the status of pretender to legitimate contender in the blink of an eye.

However, for those teams that don’t make the correct free agent transactions, either by failing to address a key need – or by bringing in the wrong players – can reverse their good fortunes just as quickly as a blossoming team can improve.

With that said, this look at the worst NFL free agent transactions this offseason. With NFL training camps getting under way in a matter of weeks, let’s get started.

Philadelphia Eagles

While the Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1 SU, 10-6 ATS, 7-8-1 O/U in 2008) pulled off two solid free agent signings by adding veteran cornerback Ellis Hobbs and Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters, the Birds also make the list for teams that made some of the worst offseason free agent decisions as well.

Fist and foremost, the Eagles’ failure to land – or even go after – disgruntled Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin – was a huge mistake that can not be understated in my estimation. Boldin would have given the Eagles the first top-flight receiver that Donovan McNabb has had since Terrell Owens took his idiotic act out of the City of Brotherly Love following a brief but tumultuous tenure with the Birds a few seasons ago. No disrespect to feet-footed soon-to-be second-year receiver DeSean Jackson, who I think is going to be a star one day, but Boldin could have been an immediate difference-maker for the Eagles and one that could have helped to push the Super Bowl contenders over the top.

The Eagles also make this list for parting ways with too many of their former players that could have still been key contributors to the team’s success this coming season, most notably, veteran safety Brian Dawkins, a player that can still get the job done and ‘lay the hammer’ almost as well as any safety in the game today.

Philadelphia also let running back Correll Buckhalter, wide receiver Greg Lewis, tight end L.J. Smith, tackle Tra Thomas and cornerback Lito Sheppard, but the biggest and most perplexing loss was that of Dawkins. The Eagles are +1600 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers (9-7 SU, 8-8 ATS, 8-8 O/U in 2008) foolishly parted ways with at least two veterans that could still help this team in a big way in quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Warrick Dunn. Tampa Bay also parted ways with a slew of other veterans including wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, tight end, Alex Smith, longtime Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks and defensive end Kevin Carter.

Now, the only reason I won’t rip the Buccaneers and their front office personnel too much is the fact that this franchise is clearly headed in a new direction under first-time NFL head coach Raheem Morris and is basically building from the ground up with a plethora of young players.

Expect Tampa Bay to take a step back In 2009 from its 9-7 SU record they posted in 2008 as the begin a rebuilding process that will almost assuredly leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time in the powerful NFC. The Buccaneers are +4000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U in 2008) foolishly added divisive, head case wideout Terrell Owens after the Dallas Cowboys washed their hands of the problem-causing Owens following another tumultuous season in Dallas. Now, were the Bills a legitimate Super Bowl contender that just need a playmaking wide receiver that could have helped them to make a Super Bowl appearance in either the first or second year, I would not have put Buffalo on this list, but the fact of the matter is that Buffalo is no closer to reaching the Super Bowl out of the AFC than they were before they signed the mercurial wide receiver. However, the Bills are not a title contender and the addition of Owens may do nothing but cause future problems for young quarterback Trent Edwards once Owens begins his almost-certain finger pointing, usually in the direction of the team’s starting quarterback. Maybe it’s me, but I say this free agent signing has been the strangest one of all this offseason. The Bills are +5000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears

I put both, the Dolphins (11-5 SU, 8-8 ATS, 6-10 O/U) and Bears (9-7 SU, 6-8-2 ATS, 7-9 O/U) on this list for their respective failures to go after Arizona Cardinals disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin despite each team’s painstakingly apparent needs at the position. The Cardinals wanted two second-round draft picks for the Pro Bowl receiver and I think those demands were very reasonable from Arizona. Miami and Chicago both decided to draft two receivers before the fifth round; clearly taking their chances that their selections will turn out to be key contributors in the near futures rather than take their chances on a high-priced veteran that could help them win right away. Chicago could have given new quarterback Jay Cutler a legitimate No. 1 receiver to work with this season, but now the Bears and Fins will both begin the 2009 season with the same question marks at the wide receiver position. out The Dolphins are +5000 to win Super Bowl XLIV in the BetUS Sportsbook while the Bears are +2000 to win this upcoming season’s Super Bowl championship.

ESPN NFL Game Odds Bears vs Packers

The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Soldier Field.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game's total is sitting at 44.

The Packers lost to Jacksonville 20-16 as a 3-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (45.5).

Aaron Rodgers threw for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Green Bay and James Jones caught four passes for 132 yards.

Robbie Gould kicked a 35-yard field goal to lift the Bears to a 27-24 victory over the Saints in Week 15. The Bears could only PUSH against the 3-point spread, while the 51 points made it OVER the posted total of 46.

Matt Forte carried the ball 11 times for 34 yards and a TD, while QB Kyle Orton threw for 172 yards and ran for a touchdown in the win.

Current streak:

• Green Bay has lost 4 straight games.
• Chicago has won 2 straight games.

Team records:

• Green Bay: 5-9 SU, 6-7-1 ATS
• Chicago: 8-6 SU, 6-6-2 ATS

Green Bay most recently:

• When playing in December are 7-3
• When playing on grass are 3-7
• After outgaining opponent are 5-5
• When playing within the division are 7-3

Chicago most recently:

• When playing in December are 6-4
• When playing on grass are 6-4
• After being outgained are 8-2
• When playing within the division are 5-5

A few trends to consider:

1. Green Bay is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Chicago
2. Green Bay is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago
3. The total has gone OVER in 16 of Green Bay's last 23 games
4. The total has gone OVER in 13 of Green Bay's last 19 games when playing on the road against Chicago
5. Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
6. The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 9 games at home
7. Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Green Bay
8. The total has gone OVER in 13 of Chicago's last 19 games when playing at home against Green Bay

Next up:
Green Bay home to Detroit, Sunday, December 28
Chicago at Houston, Sunday, December 28

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints Pointspread Free Pick

Chicago -3
Total 40

 It’s must-win Thursday night at Soldier Field for New Orleans and Chicago, as both teams need to win out and get a lot of help to reach the playoffs this season.

The Bears are 3-point favorites on BetOnline.

I won’t deal too much with the cold weather – that story is elsewhere on this site, but of course it will be cold, which should benefit Chicago against the warm-weather Saints.

But the key will be whether the Bears can stop the running game of the Saints. You might say “Huh?” to that, knowing that Drew Brees leads the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense and that Brees is barely off Dan Marino’s pace for the most passing yards in a season in NFL history. But hear me out.

With Reggie Bush back to full strength and Pierre Thomas now the featured “running” back (Bush is still a glorified receiver most times), New Orleans looked very good in beating Atlanta last week. The Saints rushed for 184 yards, their best performance on the ground in nearly two years. Thomas has rushed for 311 yards and four touchdowns in his last four games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. When the Saints run the ball 30 or more times during coach Sean Payton’s tenure, they are 14-0.

Chicago is a beast against the run and has been weak against the pass on occasion this season, although the Bears have held opponents to 208.0 passing yards per game in the past three. Maybe Chicago should let Brees throw for 400 yards. That means the ground game is not working, and New Orleans is 0-2 this season when Brees surpasses 400.

As for the Bears, they will pound the ball with Louisiana native and rookie Matt Forte, who is second in the NFL this season with 1,476 yards from scrimmage (1,081 rushing and 395 receiving), behind only Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. He is just the seventh NFL rookie to surpass 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions.

QB Kyle Orton will be asked to not make mistakes and complete a few third-down passes. Last week in the cold against the Jaguars, he was 20-of-34 with 219 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Whichever team runs the ball better should win tonight, especially with temps likely to be around 20 degrees and a wind chill at least 10 degrees lower.

New Orleans is just 1-5 on the road this year.

Football Betting Free Pick: Da Bears -3 run it down the Saints throat.  Easy cover for Chicago

Bears vs Saints Free Pick

Saints vs Bears odds:

• WHO: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-3)
• WHAT: NFL odds
• WHEN: Thursday, December 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET
• WHERE: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL
• KEY STATS: These two have split their last 10 meetings, with Chicago taking three straight
• PICK: Chicago

The scramble for the playoffs is in full swing, and NFL betting fans will be heading to their online sportsbooks to make tough NFL picks. Week 15 action gets underway on Thursday night in Chicago, as the Bears try to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host New Orleans, which is in the same position. The Saints vs Bears line has Chicago as a three-point favorite.

The Saints (7-6) showed they could run as well as pass in a 29-25 win at home over Atlanta, racking up 184 yards on the ground, more than double their average. Pierre Thomas led the way with 102 yards and a score, while Reggie Bush added another 80 yards.

Drew Brees didn’t have to put up is usual monster stats, but he was very efficient, going 18-of-32 for 230 yards and two touchdowns on the day. A consistent ground game has probably cost the Saints a couple of wins this season and, as a result, NFL odds don’t give them a great shot at making the postseason.

The Bears (7-6) put together a solid defensive effort in a 23-10 win at home over Jacksonville, holding the Jaguars to only 278 yards. It was needed, because the Bears gained only 296 themselves.

Kyle Orton was 20-of-34 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and a pick for the Bears. Impressively, Devin Hester is improving each week as he transitions from the league’s most dangerous kick returner to a dependable NFL receiver. Hester had five catches for 80 yards, and the more he has the ball in his hands, the better Chicago’s chances are.

Saints vs Bears betting has Chicago as a three-point favorite at home. Although these two have split their last 10 meetings, Chicago has won the last three. The Saints’ No. 1 offense always gives them a chance, but they’re 1-5 on the road this year, and heading to Chicago—where it will probably be freezing cold—will force them to get their ground game going.

STAN’S PICK: This is the perfect game for Chicago’s rookie running back Matt Forte to get plenty of touches and take some pressure off Orton. Bet on the Chicago Bears in cold weather to do away with the Saints, and keep their name in the NFL postseason hat.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears PointSpread Free Pick

BetUS NFL betting odds: CHICAGO -6.5, Total 40.5

NOTABLE STAT: Bears give up 88.8 rushing yards a game

KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Chicago is 6-12 ATS in last 18 home games

The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8 SU, 3-9 ATS) have had a hard time of it this year, and on Sunday things don't get easier as they take on the Chicago Bears (6-6 SU, 5-6-1 ATS), who are fighting for their playoff lives, in NFL pro football sports betting action that is scheduled for a 1 PM ET kickoff at Soldier Field (natural turf) in Chicago.

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In the BetUS NFL football betting odds, the Bears are listed as a 6.5-point favorite, with a posted total of 40.5 points.

Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• * JAX has covered one of its last six games
• * JAX has lost five of its last six games SU
• * JAX has played 16 of its last 24 games OVER the total
• * CHI has covered one of its last five games
• * CHI has covered six of its last 18 home games
• * CHI has won five of its last seven home games SU
• * CHI has played six of its last seven home games OVER the total

 Here it kind of comes down to what the Jaguars have to do to win games. We know that answer already, which is that they have to run the football and makes things relatively safe for David Garrard. Because of the offensive line problems they've had, they have had difficulty in that area, and as a result, Garrard, who threw only three interceptions in the 2007 regular season, has tossed nine picks this year. Chicago has shown enough consistency in stopping the run this season (3.4 ypc allowed) that it can't help causing problems. A quick note about the Bears and the 131 yards they yielded to Adrian Peterson in last week's game. Peterson had a 59-yard touchdown run, but on his remaining carries, he gained just 2.7 an attempt.

The Jags have had to gain 16 yards for every point they've scored, which is a poor figure. And it just looks like Garrard is lost when his running attack isn't churning out big yardage. With wide receivers who don't scare anybody (Matt Jones is the only one with more than 28 catches), there aren't many options. If you are going to be as conservative as they are, you just can't have any big offensive line problems.

Where would the Chicago Bears be without rookie Matt Forte? The do-everything guy who was drafted in the second round out of Tulane has been Chicago's leading rusher, with 1012 yards, but he's also caught more passes than anyone on the roster (48, for 358 yards). he's been primarily responsible for Kyle Orton having the kind of success he's had (13 TDs, 7 INTs, 59%). And does anyone believe that Orton, who went 206 passes without an interception before tossing three in a stretch of seven passes against Minnesota, will have a blowup again?

Chicago has laid an egg in two of its last three games. Now they are a game in back of Minnesota in the NFC North. On Sunday they encounter a Jacksonville team that has hardly looked competitive in being outscored by a 60-29 margin the last two weeks.

We have always liked Jack Del Rio's approach, but things have gotten away from him a bit. We think Jacksonville's game has dipped to the point where we can lay the points with a division contender. It's the Bears minus 6.5 points in the BetUS Sportsbook NFL pro football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: CHICAGO -6.5 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Chicago Bears PointSpread Free Pick

Chicago Bears -7   Over/Under 41

The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8 SU, 3-9 ATS, 5-6-1 O/U) continued their pathetic ways on Monday night, losing to the Houston Texans 30-17 as a as 3.5-point road underdog in the BetUS Sportsbook.

The Chicago Bears (6-6 SU, 5-6-1 ATS, 5-7 O/U) were also man-handled in their last contest, getting pounded 34-14 by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Now, both teams will look to get back in the win column when they meet at Soldier Field on Sunday.

The Jaguars looked pitiful in their loss as quarterback David Garrard went 25-of-35 for 287 yards with one touchdown and one interception and running back Fred Taylor rushed for just 67 yards on nine carries with one touchdown. The Jags suffered two lost fumbles and Garrard was sacked three times by Texans defensive end Mario Williams.

"We are working hard and we're trying hard, but that's just not good enough," Del Rio said. "Ourexecution is not crisp."

The Bears lost to Minnesota 34-13 as a 3.5-point road underdog last week as quarterback Kyle Orton completed just 11 of 29 passes for 153 yards with two touchdowns and a whopping three interceptions.

"If you're going to win these tough games, you've got to make plays and you've got to capitalize," Orton said. "Against a defense like this, you're not going to have too many opportunities down there."

Chicago gave up 131 rushing yards and one touchdown to Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and a 99-yard touchdown catch by wideout Bernard Berrian.

Here is a look at tonight’s sports betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Free Pick:

• The total has gone OVER in 16 of Jacksonville's last 24 games
• Jacksonville is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
• Jacksonville is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
• Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
• Chicago is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games at home
• Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

NFL Odds

• Jacksonville Jaguars +7 -110
• Chicago Bears -7 -110
• Over 41 -110
• Under 41 -110

Analysis: The Bears will win this contest, but just don’t have an explosive enough offense to really rout the struggling Jags. Still, I’m thinking they should be able to cover the spread in this matchup against the offensively-challenged Jaguars.

NFL Free Picks: Bears 24 Jaguars 14

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears Point Spread Free Pick

One of the oldest rivalries in the NFL, perhaps the oldest, continues this Sunday when the Chicago Bears travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers. The Bears versus Packers has always been a tough rivalry and sports betting fans shouldn’t expect anything less in this game as both teams will be trying to bounce back from a loss last Sunday.

The Bears looked like they might have had a shot against the Tennessee Titans but then Sexy Rexy Grossman, starting in place of the injured Kyle Orten, went back to his horrendous NFL form. The Titans wore down the Bears and the game was over.

For the Packers, the same sort of story almost played out. The Packers had a huge chance to beat the Minnesota Vikings and tie the Chicago Bears for first place in the AFC North Division last Sunday. The Pack played a spirited game but they lost it at the end because they had trouble all day stopping Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson. Online betting fans watched a nice money-line wager slip away as the Packers gave it up.

Here are my personal online betting odds for this game.

Kick-off: 11/16/2008 1:00 pm est.

Chicago Bears + 2.5 - 110 + 125 O 42 ½ - 110

Green Bay Packers - 2.5 - 110 - 145 U 42 ½ - 110

Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game.

• The Chicago Bears are 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5 games versus a team from the NFC North Division.
• The Chicago Bears are 7-3-1 against the spread in the last 11 meetings between these two teams in Green Bay.
• The Green Bay Packers are 7 and 3 against the spread in their last 10 games at home.
• The Green Bay Packers are 4 and 0 against the spread in their last 4 games versus a team from the NFC North Division.

The reason that the BetUS online sportsbook hasn’t released online wagering odds on this game is because the Bears and Packers are waiting to hear about some injury issues.

The Bears, in particular, will need a healthy Kyle Orton in order to have any chance against the Packers. They have no chance otherwise. That’s just the nature of the game.

As far as the Packers are concerned, this is a watershed game for this team. Online football betting fans are well aware that the Packers, should they win and the Minnesota Vikings were to lose, would be tied with the Vikings for first place in the AFC North. If the Packers are to be a serious force in the NFL playoffs this season, they have to win games like this one.

I’m going to go with the Packers in this. I do believe that no matter who starts for the Bears at quarterback the online wagering odds shouldn’t be higher than 6 to 6 ½. To me it’s a good online bet. The Packers have a strong running game that could soften up the Bears’ linebackers and Green Bay has a good enough defense to cause either Orten or Grossman fits.

I’ll make an online bet on the Green Bay Packers to cover the BetUS online wagering spread in this game.

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers Point Spread Analysis

Two teams coming off surprising, impressive road wins will clash on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers (1-0 SU & ATS) play host to the Chicago Bears (1-0 SU & ATS) in an NFL contest that is set to get underway at 1 PM ET on Sunday at the Bank of America Stadium (natural turf) in Charlotte,. NC.

Sunday, September 14

BetUS NFL betting odds: CAROLINA -3, Total 37

NOTABLE STAT: Chicago has scored one point for every 11 yards gained

KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Bears are 15-8 SU in their last 23 road games

In the BetUS NFL betting odds, the Panthers are listed as a three-point favorite, with a posted total of 37 points.

Here are some NFL betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):

* CHI has covered four of its last five games

* CHI has covered five of its last seven road games

* CHI has won 15 of its last 23 road games SU

* CHI has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total

* CAR has covered five of its last six games

* CAR has won four of its last six games SU

* CAR has played four of its last six games OVER the total

* CAR has covered three of its last ten home games

* CAR has lost eight of its last ten home games SU

* CAR has played six of its last seven home games UNDER the total

Also...

* CAR has covered three of the last four meetings

* Three of the last four meetings have gone OVER the total

There has to be nothing but optimism coming out of each of these camps after the results from this past Sunday, as both went on the road to beat bona fide playoff teams.

Last week, Carolina took advantage of a key San Diego turnover and converted it into a Chris Gamble touchdown, then got a nail-biting, closing drive out of comebacking quarterback Jake Delhomme to eke out a 26-24 win at San Diego. The Panthers got 142 yards on the ground, no doubt encouraging for a team that wanted to balance its offense and get a lot more hard-nosed coming into the season.

Meanwhile, Chicago, which went through a mediocre 7-9 season in 2007, inserted Kyle Orton in place of Rex Grossman at quarterback and did even better than Carolina on the ground, getting 123 yards and a 50-yard touchdown run out of rookie Matt Forte in beating back rusty Peyton Manning and the Colts. Meanwhile, Chicago's defense showed some of the snarl that made it such a force in the past, holding Indianapolis to just 53 rushing yards.

So, who is more likely to make the winning plays in this one? Well, the technical numbers might suggest the Bears, who have won 15 of their last 23 games on the road, while the Panthers, who are usually more comfy in the role of the underdog, have actually lost eight of their last ten at home.

Still, we like Carolina and its two-fisted running attack (D'Angelo Williams, who had 86 yards in the opener, along with rookie Jonathan Stewart), powered by an offensive line that opened things up for a 4.9-yard average and allowed Delhomme to be sacked only once. And now that Jake appears to be recovered from "Tommy John" surgery, he's ready to stretch the field a little more than his less experienced counterpart, Kyle Orton, even without Steve Smith in the lineup (serving the second game of his two-game suspension).

Please excuse us if we keep the jury out on Orton, who will need a repeat performance from Forte to give him the balance he'll need to make plays. Let's lay the points with the Carolina Panthers, the three-point favorite in the BetUS NFL football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: CAROLINA -3 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

Colts vs Bears PointSpread and Analysis

The last time the Indianapolis Colts faced the Chicago Bears in a game that mattered was in Super Bowl XLI as the Colts defeated Chicago.  For the Bears that must seem like a long time ago, especially after last season’s failures.  The Colts were still good last year but lost in the playoffs to San Diego while the Bears missed the playoffs.  The Colts have some question marks to start the season as quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t play at all in the preseason after undergoing offseason knee surgery.  He will make his 161st straight regular-season start though on Sunday. "I keep using the term unchartered territory, and that's what it's been like for me," said Manning, "I hope to just get in the flow of things and go." The Colts will be without three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday who has a knee injury and starting guard Ryan Lilja who also has a knee injury. SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Colts at Home.

The Bears slipped to 7-9 last season and had problems on both sides of the ball.  The stout defense had all kinds of holes, finishing 28th in total defense while the offense was invisible. "We haven't played well. That is all you can say about it," said Chicago head coach Lovie Smith.  The Bears will turn to Kyle Orton at quarterback to start the season.  He doesn’t have a lot of help on offense as the Bears lost top receiver Bernard Berrian to free agency in the off-season.  Second-round draft pick Matt Forte will be the starting running back and will need to take the pressure off Orton.

Here are the NFL betting stats for Sunday’s game.  The Bears are 4-1 in the regular season versus Indianapolis since 1984. The Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 1. The Bears are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in September.

BetUs  Current Line: Colts  -  9.5   ,  Total  44

The Colts are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 1. The Colts are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games in September. The Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on turf. The Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.

The Under is 4-0 in the Bears last 4 games in Week 1. The Over is 5-2 in the Bears last 7 games overall.

The Under is 4-1 in the Colts last 5 games in Week 1. The Over is 5-2 in the Colts last 7 games overall. The Under is 7-3 in the Colts last 10 games in September.