Bears vs. Rams Against the Spread Pick

Chicago Bears (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Rams (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)

Week 7 NFL

Date/Time: Monday Night Football, October 26, 2020 at 8:15PM EDT

Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: CHI +5.5/LAR -5.5 (Intertops – Deposit $25, get $50 FREE! Must use bonus code ROOKIE200)

Over/Under Total: 46

The Chicago Bears come into SoFi Stadium for a Week 7 NFC showdown with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. It’s fair to say the Bears might be the surprise team of the NFC, having already surpassed last season’s win total with a bristling 5-1 start. They might not be knocking anyone’s socks off while doing it, but on Sunday, they typically relied on defense and manufactured a nice 23-16 road-win over a Panthers team that had won three in a row. They now come into Inglewood to face a Rams team that is licking their wounds after losing 24-16 to the 49ers on Sunday Night Football romp that wasn’t as close as the score, with the Rams strangely non-competitive. Can they get back on the right track, or will the Bears come into town and continue their winning ways?

What Makes the Bears Dangerous in These Spots

When teams that don’t get a lot of run in the press like the Bears are doing really well, it almost carries more weight. At 5-1, they still don’t convey a lot of fear. They started off with wins over teams like the Lions, Giants, and Falcons. After stymying the Bucs at home on Thursday Night Football, however, people started to pay attention. And while last week’s road win over Carolina might not induce fear, it counts for something considering how well Carolina had been playing.

The Chicago offense isn’t going to send bettors of the opposing team running in fear, that’s for sure. They’re winning, but Nick Foles has actually been pretty lukewarm since taking the starting gig from Trubisky. They haven’t been able to run the ball well, as David Montgomery still can’t get it going, with Foles only having a fraction of Trubisky’s mobility. And playing behind this offensive line doesn’t really help. The Rams’ defensive line could be licking their chops. We’ve seen Foles do damage aerially in his career, but with Chicago’s pass-attack consisting of the on-and-off Allen Robinson, past-his-prime TE Jimmy Graham, and whichever fringe receiver decides to step up, it’s not an exciting package.

Chicago relies on defense, and at 5-1, the “D” has spoken. We saw a previously-cruising Teddy Bridgewater struggle mightily on Sunday, with two picks. They couldn’t run the ball, and the Carolina offense was in knots all afternoon. We saw a Bears’ defense tap into its playmaking ability, with the picks, a fumble recovery, and a pass-rush feeding frenzy led by usual suspect Khalil Mack. This side of the ball didn’t get off to a great start, but with the stoutness against the pass and run returning, and their big-play ability resurfacing on Sunday, we see a “D” that is starting to have a definitive say on games—not unlike the 2018 Bears who went 12-4.

DEPOSIT $200, GET $200 FREE AT MYBOOKIE SPORTSBOOK!

Rams: Still a Ways to Go

None of the matchup advantages that seemed to favor LA really surfaced on Sunday night. A Rams’ defensive line that can bring the heat brought almost none against a Frisco O-line that had been struggling. Against the Rams’ defense, the Niners had the perfect game in many ways—Garoppolo back on track with a big game, George Kittle having a big game, Deebo Samuel making plays, RB Raheem Mostert making an impact, rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk hauling in a TD, and long-injured gem corner Jason Verrett getting a pick. On offense, Jared Goff was 19 of 38 for under 200 yards, throwing a pick. They ran the ball well, having to abandon it when the Niners took a lead, while Goff and his weapons couldn’t really see it come together.

The point is that while we’ve seen signs of a Rams’ resuscitation this season, that doesn’t make them the bankable weekly force they were a few years ago. Their four wins came against NFC teams, which kind of puts a weird pallor on their 4-2 mark. They have covered one spread in their last four games, that coming against an Alex Smith-led Washington. The two times they stepped outside the NFC East realm, there have been ugly moments. First was the debacle against the Bills, where a miraculous about-face and complete momentum-reversal somehow didn’t lead to a win that seemed all but sealed. Then last week, it looked like it was a wrap before the first half, with the Rams not even able to really make a serious run at it. It’s a little concerning as they are again in a realm where they haven’t succeeded yet.

More Picks: Hawks vs. Cards Week 7 Prediction ATS >>>

Tough Spot for the Bears

Not that last week was a spirit-lifting experience for the Rams, but the Bears have been on a rough stretch—a draining loss to Indy, followed by a hard-fought one-point win over Tampa on the short week. Now, after going into Carolina on Sunday, they turn around to come out to the west coast this week. And this is a time of the year where you’re getting some major temperature and climate differentials around the country. It’s like a desert in California, while a lot of the rest of the country is getting choppy weather already.

Take the Home Favorite

This is big for the Rams. They’re at home, and 5-2 is a lot better than 4-3, especially in a playoff picture that will be crowded. A win here gives them the confidence that they can beat a winning football team. A loss here deposits them in a far more precarious position than they were a few weeks ago, and for a team that admirably fought hard to get back on the winning track won’t be deterred easily. I just see this as a dicey spot for the Bears, with their lack of offense costing them in the end, as the Rams nose them at the wire.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Los Angeles Rams minus 5.5 points. Many NFL bettors have crapped out, as it’s been a tough season to call with some very unexpected results happening. (How did Denver win at NE?) If that’s you, you can fix that situation with a giant 100% bonus offer from BetNow Sportsbook. You can deposit up to $1000 and they’ll match you dollar for dollar! (Example: Deposit $1000, they’ll give you an extra $1000 just for giving them your business!) Click here to get this sweet bankroll booster!