The Bears have a much more difficult schedule than a year
ago when they won 13 games but the NFC North is so weak that it will be
difficult for Chicago not to win 10 or 11 games and capture a third straight
division title. (2006 regular season records in parentheses):
CHICAGO BEARS (13-3 SU,
8-7-1 ATS): It was a memorable off-season for the Bears who
dispatched team offensive MVP Thomas Jones, took a hard line with disgruntled
LB Lance Briggs, and parted ways with troubled DT Tank Johnson.
was second in the NFL in points scored last year, although leading the league
in points off turnovers was the main reason for that success. Cedric Benson
takes over at RB for Jones with much maligned Rex
Grossman still behind center. The Bears will win with their solid defense but
the specter of just one Super Bowl loser even making the post-season in the
past six years, looms over their heads.
By the Numbers (Regular
Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 68-76
ATS: 73-64-7
HF: 19-18-1
HD: 21-13
AF:
AD: 28-29-4
Sportsbook Buster:
The Bears are a combined
ATS versus AFC West teams (
City,
play this year.
NFL Betting Angle:
after a bye week. This year, the Bears are at
(Nov. 11) after a week off.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-8
SU, 7-9 ATS): First year Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s West Style
offense helped the Packers win twice as many games as the previous season but
continued improvement could be difficult to attain this year. QB Brett Favre is
still the mainstay of an offense that will miss RB Ahman Green and doesn’t have a stud at wide receiver. The
line is a work in progress. On defense, the Packers improved dramatically once
DT Cullen Jenkins moved outside, finishing in the middle of the pack (so to
speak), statistically. This is not a very good team but this is not a tough
division, either.
By the Numbers (Regular
Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 84-60
ATS: 68-72-4
HF: 29-3-1-1
HD:
AF: 14-17-2
AD: 21-18
Sportsbook Buster:
The Packers are 6-0 ATS versus the Redskins, who they play Oct. 14.
NFL Betting Angle:
straight games as a home underdog.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz’ system did not work well in
where a weak offensive line was responsible for the Lions finishing dead last
in the league in rushing. Head Coach Rod Marinelli
was equally disappointed by his freshly installed defensive scheme which
finished 30th in the NFL in points allowed.
fans are hoping that a full year under the new systems will yield better
results this season and they may be right.
By the Numbers (Regular
Season, 1998-2006)
SU: 46-98
ATS: 68-73-3
HF:
HD: 26-16-1
AF: 0-6
AD: 31-34-1
Sportsbook Buster:
The Lions have covered five straight games against the Buccaneers, who they
play at home, Oct. 21.
NFL Betting Angle:
home underdog and terrible home favorite over the last nine years.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-10
SU, 7-9 ATS): Second year Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress,
the offensive architect in Philadelphia, hopes that the addition of draft
choices RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) and WR Sidney Rice (South Carolina) will improve an attack that
ranked just 26th in scoring last season. Having Tarvaris Jackson as
your starting QB could be a problem, though. The defense lead the NFL against
the run but was last against the pass last season. A better pass rush is needed
if
in the fight to avoid the NFC North basement.
By the Numbers (Regular
Season, 2002-2006)
SU: 79-65
ATS: 67-74-3
HF: 30-28-1
HD: 8-5
AF:
AD: 17-22-1
Sportsbook Buster:
The Vikings are 5-0 ATS versus the Cowboys, who they play in
Oct. 21.
NFL Betting Angle:
especially as an away favorite.
Legend:
SU = Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
AD = Away Underdog
Article is courtesy of the Greek Sportsbook
one of the few sportsbooks good enough to get the highest endorsement from the
wagering experts at OffshoreInsiders.com