The Chicago Bears, fresh off their bye week, come to town this Monday night in a prime-time clash with the suddenly rejuvenated Eagles. At face value with the Birds currently listed as a touchdown or more home favorite, it appears that this game should result in a 4-4 record for both teams through the first half of the regular season.
However, before you go and chalk this one up in the win column for the Eagles, keep in mind the fact that they were favored by nine-points against the Giants and 9.5 points against the 49ers at home earlier in the year and we all know how both those games ended-up. Also keep in mind that the Bears have just about owned Philly in recent memory with a 3-1 record in the last four seasons. Before that, the roles were reversed when Donovan McNabb was in his heyday, with five straight Philadelphia victories.
In typical fashion, I am chalking this one up as another convincing victory for the high-flying Birds. Playing in prime time at the Linc always seems to bring out the best out of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson on offense and Trent Cole on the defensive side of the ball. In reality, look for another heavy dose of LeSean McCoy as Andy Reid continues to prove people wrong that he hates to run the ball. The truth is, he just hates to lose and will do whatever it takes even if it means creating a balanced attack on offense. You know, the one that we have been coveting since Deuce Staley and Brian Westbrook roamed the backfield.
Also, this is traditionally the time of the year when Philadelphia reels-off five or six straight victories to get everyone all fired-up for a Super Bowl run, before losing a key game or two down the stretch to return us back to reality.
Copied below by special permission of Golden Affiliates and GamblingIQ is my complete preview of Monday night's game:
Monday Night Football Betting Preview- Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Point spread: Philadelphia -9
Over/Under: 47.5
The well-rested Chicago Bears come off of their bye week to tangle with the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles this Monday night in front of a prime-time audience at Lincoln Financial Field. The kick-off for this NFC clash is slated for 8:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Chicago went into its bye week at 4-3 straight-up (3-4 against the spread) after a 24-18 victory over Tampa Bay in London as a 1.5-point favorite. The total stayed ‘under’ the 44-point line in this game and has now stayed ‘under’ in four of its seven games this year.Look for a heavy dose of running back Matt Forte in this game as the Bears will try and exploit an Eagles’ defense that has struggled to stop the run this year. This will also take the pressure of a Jay Cutler, who looked less than spectacular against the Buccaneers. He completed just 53.1 percent of his throws and was intercepted twice.
Philadelphia came off its bye last week against Dallas and finally played like the team that many people had penciled-in as one of the top three in the league. Its 34-7 demolition of the Cowboys as a three-point home favorite raised its record to 3-4 both SU and ATS. The total stayed ‘under’ the 49-point line, but it has gone ‘over’ in four of its previous six games.The victory over Dallas proved that if Michael Vick takes care of the ball, and the rest of the offense eliminates the mistakes that plagued it in its four-game losing streak, there are few defenses in the league that can stop this team. The Eagles are now ranked first in the NFL in total yards per game and an impressive first in rushing offense with an average of 179.9 yards a game.
The Bears are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog on the road. The total has stayed ‘under’ in 20 of their last 28 road games.
The Eagles are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite, but they are 4-0 ATS in their last four Monday night games. The total has stayed ‘under’ in five of their last six home games.
These two have played each other the last four seasons with Chicago holding a 3-1 edge both SU and ATS. This time around, stick with Michael Vick the Eagles to put on another prime-time show that results in another big win at home.
The Pick: Philadelphia 34 Chicago 20
34 to 20 way too optimistic. Maybe 20 to 14 eagles but I think another loss for big Andy most likely.
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