The 2018 NFL betting season is right around the corner. Naturally, NFL sportsbooks players will want to size up Week 1’s lineup to determine where the best action lies. One matchup to ponder is the first Sunday Night Football matchup of the year between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, arguably one of the best rivalries in professional football. Let’s take a look at the sports gambling odds to see if betting on this SNF pairing is worthwhile.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – Sunday, September 9th
When: 8:20 pm ET
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: NBC
Stream: NBC Extra, NFL Game Pass
NFL Betting Odds:
Chicago Bears +8 (-110) 48 (-105)
Green Bay Packers -8 (-110) 48 (-115)
Chicago Bears
The Bears are coming off a meager 5-11 record that saw them finish dead last in the NFC North. All in all, the Bears really missed the starting gun on an NFC North title last season. Since Aaron Rodgers went down with an early-season injury, Chicago could have jumped up and filled that void. However, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t hesitate and rose to prominence in the North while the Bears sank to the bottom of the division. Ultimately the season was focused on getting Mitchell Trubisky some air under his wings. Although he nor the Bears found that much success in 2017, they are at least a more experience bunch this time around. So far in this year’s preseason, the Bears are sitting on a meager 1-2 record. Their most recent win came in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos 24-23. Although it’s the preseason, a win over the Broncos is a great thing. We’ll have to see how they fare against Rodgers come September.
Players to Watch: Mitchell Trubisky (2,193 passing yards, 7 TD, 7 INT), Jordan Howard (1,122 rushing yards, 9 TD, 1 F), and Joshua Bellamy (376 receiving yards, 1 TD, 24 REC).
Green Bay Packers
As aforementioned, the Packers lost Rodgers early in the season and subsequently lost a lot of games in 2017. In the end the club turned in a 7-9 record to finish as the 3rd worst team in the NFC North. All things considered, Rodgers’ injury might actually have helped out Green Bay. See the Packers have been stumbling into successful seasons the last couple of years solely on the efforts of Rodgers. The Pack doesn’t have an elite running game, they don’t have an elite defense, and their special teams is moderate at best. Mason Crosby is a good kicker and they do have a top-tier offensive line. But other than that, what attributes did the Packers possess that made them a title challenger. The only truthful answer to that question is Rodgers. This is why last season actually helped them, because it lifted up the curtain on all the massive holes plaguing the organization. Subsequently, a lot of heads rolled last season. Now the team enters with a heap of new coaches who know they have one season to deliver or hit the road.
Players to Watch: Aaron Rodgers (1,675 passing yards, 16 TD, 6 INT), Jamaal Williams (556 rushing yards, 4 TD, 0 F), and Davante Adams (885 receiving yards, 10 TD, 74 REC).
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Predictions
Trends
- Chicago has posted a 2-8 SU record in their last 5 games against the Packers
- Chicago has posted a 3-7 ATS record in their last 5 games against the Packers
- The TOTAL has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago’s last 10 games against Green Bay
- Green Bay has posted a 2-3 record SU in their last 5 games
- Green Bay has posted a 2-3 record ATS in their last 5 games
- The TOTAL has gone OVER in 3 of Green Bay’s last 5 games
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Picks
So is it worthwhile to bet on this Bears-Packers matchup? Well the money line isn’t quite out yet, but the NFL betting odds out on the spread are favorable. It’s more than likely that Aaron Rodgers beats the Bears by 8 especially at Lambeau.
Score Prediction: 35-14 Green Bay.
