Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
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Moneyline: Chicago Bears -170 (spread -3) | Bet with PointsBet Now
The NFL’s 100th season gets underway with the most historic of rivalries, as the Bears host the Packers. Not only will this be a primetime showdown, but it’s a division game that’ll be important for each team to get off on the right foot. Last season, the teams split the two meetings and each game was decided by single-digits.
Odds Analysis
The Bears’ spread opened at 3.5, and even jumped to 4.0 at some books, before finally settling at 3.0. Currently, the Packers are getting about 56 percent of the public bets, and it’s kind of surprising since they have the better quarterback – you’d think they’d get more.
Packers Betting Form
That quarterback we’re talking about – Aaron Rodgers, one of the premier signal-callers in the game. In 2018, he threw for 4,442 yards and 25 touchdowns against only two interceptions – all while not being fully healthy. What’s interesting is that Rodgers didn’t play one snap during the preseason, and that could present some challenges with a different game plan under new head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Packers’ defense improved mightily in the draft and during free agency. Perhaps the biggest pluck came from tonight’s opponent, as they grabbed safety Adrian Amos from the Bears during the offseason. That’s a massive upgrade to their secondary, in addition to their corners getting valuable experience last year.
Bears Betting Form
The Bears had an easy schedule and quite a bit of luck last season, going 6-4 in one-possession games. While the offense did make significant strides in 2018, they could have a difficult time with the Packers’ improved defense. This could ultimately be the difference in this game when it’s all said and done.
The only injury to report from this game comes from the Bears’ side of things. Tight end Trey Burton has a lingering groin issue that has him listed as a game-time decision.
Betting Pick: Packers (+3)
Both of these teams feature solid defenses, but we feel like the Packers will be able to move the ball up and down the field a little better. The public could very well take last season’s records and outcomes into account too much, and this would be a dream scenario if the Packers somehow went back to 3.5.
A lot of people are sleeping on this Louisville team after last year’s season-long meltdown, but with the new coaching staff and a scheme that fits the personnel much better, we should see plenty of good things.
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