Somebody break up the Chicago Bears.
It didn’t take long for Ben Johnson’s regime to turn things around in the Windy City, where the Bears have already eclipsed their regular-season win total (O/U 8.5) with a 10-4 record and now seek an NFC North division title.
Of course, the rival Green Bay Packers stand in the way.
You can watch Saturday’s showdown at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call from Soldier Field.
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Green Bay opened as a 3-point road favorite, but injuries to Micah Parsons and Christian Watson, along with Chicago’s quick dismissal of the Cleveland Browns, have the market leaning into the Bears the last couple of days.
Some books are at a pick ‘em (PK), others have Chicago -1.
Finally, some respect.
“I think people are just stubborn,” Westgate SuperBook vice president of race and sports John Murray told me. “The Bears keep winning. They are a very well-coached team and are way better than people realize.”
“Good coaching goes a long way in this league,” one professional bettor added from Las Vegas. “The Bears were a clown show last year with [Matt] Eberflus after which the interim man. He was so unhealthy I forgot his identify.
“Ben Johnson has them believing they will really win.”
Inexperienced Bay has received 30 of the final 36 conferences — however whew, the final three have been all shut.
The Packers received 20-19 final November, however the Bears took the season finale 24-22. Two weeks in the past, Caleb Williams threw an interception in the long run zone within the sport’s remaining seconds to seal a 28-21 Packers’ victory.
Personally, I’d tease Chicago from +1.5 to +7.5 at DraftKings and hook it to a two-teamer, with Carolina +9 or Tennessee +9. Both one is stable.
Shifting on.
Earlier within the day on Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles will go to the Washington Commanders in what looks like a “medication sport” for the champs. It’s definitely not a must-win, however it looks like they should go away little question.
Outstanding accidents derailed a once-promising season for Washington, a staff that made all of it the best way to the NFC Championship Recreation a 12 months in the past with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The group just lately shut Daniels down for the 12 months to keep away from additional accidents, so Marcus Mariota will get the beginning.
Philly is at the moment -7 with a complete of O/U 44.5.
“It’s robust to guess cash on groups that aren’t attempting to win,” the skilled bettor admitted. “Washington is so mediocre with out Daniels. It’s not a sport I’m planning on getting concerned with. There are higher alternatives.
“I’ll say, although, this could possibly be a turning level for the Eagles. They’re getting more healthy on the traces, they cracked the Raiders final week, after which it’s at Buffalo and residential towards Washington. That’s 4 straight video games towards defenses that ought to enable your offense to sort things and discover rhythm.
“The Eagles is perhaps price a pop at +550 to win the NFC.”
Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and the BetMGM Community. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports activities and VSiN. Watch him on FOX Sports activities’ Bear Bets and comply with him on X @spshoot.
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