New England vs Chicago – NFL Spread Betting

The New England Patriots answered some questions Monday night when they ripped the New York Jets 45-3. Coming into the game, we all knew how good the offense could be but what surprise most people watching is how well the Pats worst ranked defense held the Jets in check.

This week, the Patriots have a chance to show off their defense against the most surprising team of the year. The Chicago Bears were supposed to languish at the bottom of the NFC North rather than sit on top of the division where they are now. The NFL betting spread action is heavily behind the Pats in this one, with 87% of all bets backing New England on the spread.

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

The Odds makers have set the Patriots as the -3-point NFL spread betting favorites. A straight up bet on the underdog Bears will pay bettors +155 on the moneyline. The game total is set at 40½ points.

NFL Betting Odds

December 12, 2010

New England Patriots -3 -115 -175

Chicago Bears +3 -105 +155

Game Total 40½

Location: Soldier Field – Chicago IL

Game Time: 4:15pm

TV: CBS

New England Patriots held the New York Jets to just 301 yards Monday night, which is about 100 total yards less than they’ve averaged on the season. They held Mark Sanchez to just 149 passing yards and forced three interceptions.

The three points given up was their lowest score allowed all season. It’s a result of the maturation of the team’s young defense. The Bill Belichick defense isn’t one that players can pick up quickly but once they do, it is bad news for the opposition.

Tom Brady must have heard the talk about the Michael Vick being the front-runner for the MVP award. Brady played as if it was 2007 all over again, tossing 326 yards and four touchdown passes. He’s led that Patriots to 30+ points in four consecutive weeks but the Patriots destruction of the much-heralded Jets defense put him well ahead of all other candidates, including Vick.

The Chicago Bears have won five straight after offensive coordinator Mike Martz adjusted the offensive line’s techniques. The Bears has allowed Cutler to hit the deck 19 times in three games before the bye week, after the bye the Bears have allowed 14 sacks in five games. The number is creeping up as they’ve allowed four in each of the last game.

Even with the sacks, Cutler has thrown just three interceptions during their winning streak, none in the past two games.

The Bears defense is the third best in the league, limiting opponents to just 16 points per game and 300 total offensive yards a game.

One concern for Chicago on the defensive side of the ball is they have given up 26 and 20 point in their past 2 games. It’s the first time they’ve allowed more than 17 points in consecutive games this season.

The Bears have the talent and when they put it all together, they are easily one of the best teams in the league. Still you never know when Cutler or the offensive line will have a mental lapse. I’d happy put my money behind the Bears against any other team in the league, just not against the Patriots with the NFL spread betting number is only 3 points.

NFL Betting Pick: New England Patriots -3