Chicago Bears (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) vs. New York Giants (1-2 SU, 1-2
ATS), Week 4 NFL, 8:20 p.m. EST, Sunday, October 3, 2010, New
Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., TV: NBC
by Badger of Predictem.com
Betting Odds: Chi+4/NYG -4
Over/Under: 44
As the only remaining undefeated team in the NFC the Chicago Bears
will put their unblemished record on the line again this week when
they travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Giants in their
New Meadowlands Stadium on Sunday Night Football on NBC.
The Bears remained perfect for the season with a late 20-17 victory
over the rival Green Bay Packers on Monday Night. Even though Chicago
struggled a little on offense, a Devin Hester punt return for a score
and a late forced fumble by Brian Urlacher helped put the Bears in
position for the game-winning field goal to beat the penalty-prone
Packers in primetime.
Chicagos defense could be in store for a field day Sunday night if
the New York Giants continue with their turnover-prone ways, as the G-
men gave the ball away three more times last week in their 29-10 loss
at home to Tennessee. The Giants now have 10 turnovers through three
games, and Eli Manning has more picks (6) than touchdowns (5),
something that they will have to change and quick if they hope to get
back to .500 and back into the hunt in the NFC East.
The folks setting the odds out in Las Vegas seem to be unimpressed by
the undefeated Bears, opening the primetime game with New York as 3.5-
point favorites at home. The early steam at the betting window is
also unimpressed, or thinking the Giants are due, because most of the
early money has moved the number up to Giants minus 4-points or even
-4.5.
The over/under total opened at 43.5, but it gone up since its release to either 44 or 44.5 at most of the offshore sportsbooks on
the Web.
This game presents some interesting angles as far as the offensive
side of the ball is concerned.
Jay Cutler and the Bears have been solid in the passing game under new
coordinator Mike Martz, throwing for 277 yards a game for the 5th-
best attack in the NFL thus far. Martz has also reigned in Cutlers
interceptions this year (only two) with better play calling, which
has helped spark the Bears to their 3-0 start.
The issue for the Bears is the run game, where their 72 yard per game
average in 29th in the league is going to catch up to them sooner
than later. Cutler finished with more rushing yards last week (37)
than running back Matt Forte (29), something that Forte and the Bears
offensive line must change without left tackle Chris Williams (listed
as questionable) against a Giants run defense thats giving up 136
yards per game (26th).
The Giants have had little trouble moving the ball on offense (368 ypg 8th), they just cant stop putting it on the carpet. The
passing game is clicking too (253 ypg 9th), it just Manning has
thrown some demoralizing red zone interceptions in recent weeks and
its put undue pressure on the Giants defense as a result.
Once New York regains control of the turnover battle, or maybe I
should say if they regain control, they could give the Bears defense
some problems.
The G-men do have one positive that might prove to be their biggest asset this week, an improved secondary with the addition of Antrel
Rolle that is the 4th-ranked pass defense thus far allowing 169 yards
a game. If the Bears continue to live and die by Cutler and the
passing game, the Giants are equipped to give them a tough time.
These two last met on the gridiron back in 2007, in what turned into
a 21-16 victory for the Giants at Soldier Field, but thats about the
lone highlight for Giants fans in this series.
Chicago has been very rude guests in the city that never sleeps,
winning their last four visits to New York both straight up and
against the spread. The last time was in 2006 when they came in as 1-
point underdogs and left with a 38-20 victory.
In fact, the road team is on a perfect 5-0 ATS run in the last five
meetings for the most impressive betting trend in this head-to-head
matchup. The only problem is that the Bears are 3-8 ATS in their last
11 road games, and just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 as an underdog.
Badgers Pick to Cover the Point Spread: The Giants will play their best game of the season so far, but I still think the Bears will get their yards and points too.
So Im taking the safe play here on the over of 44. Take the over.
