NFC Divisional Playoff Betting – Chicago’s Defense Getting Snubbed By Everyone

When it comes to making picks in NFC Championship betting, we’ve discussed Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and the awesomeness of Green Bay’s defense. What has often been overlooked is how stacked the Chicago front-seven is. Can Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers turn the tides of NFC Championship betting in their favor?

It’s hard not to get swept up in Green Bay’s incredible run, especially considering that Aaron Rodgers has been virtually perfect on the road. The Packers have absolutely man handled the competition lately…but taking Chicago’s defense lightly is a big mistake.

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Disrespect is rampant in this game, and the amount of bulletin board material available for the angry Chicago defense is undeniable. They’re not even favorites in NFC Championship betting besides being the second seed, at home against a sixth seeded team in the conference.

We can make a lot of stink that we didn’t see much of the Chicago Bears as they dismantled the Seattle Seahawks for three straight quarters and then let up in the fourth. Sure they’re not “battle tested” but doesn’t that at least mean they’re well rested?

Green Bay Packers (10-6) vs. Chicago Bears (11-5)

Sunday, January 23rd — Soldier Field — 3:00pm EST

NFC Championship Betting Line: Green Bay -3.5 (43.5)

It must be remarkable to fans that the offense isn’t getting any credit for going 11-5 SU and 9-6-1 ATS this season. Jay Cutler had a solid season. His receivers stepped up, with nobody having a bigger impact than Greg Olsen.

And for all the raving praise for the Packers’ band of rushing misfits, can’t we heap some love on Matt Forte? Isn’t he a threat in this game? Let’s not undersell the value that Forte has in NFC Championship betting considering how dynamic of a player he is. He totaled 1,616 yards from scrimmage along with 9 touchdowns that was generated on 237 rushes and 51 receptions.

What about Devin Hester? Can the Packers avoid kicking to him all day?

Chicago’s defense averaged just 17.9 points against this season, and was one of the best rushing defenses in the league with 90.1 rushing yards permitted per game. The big whole in their defense was the secondary, where age and injuries reduced them to one of the weaker secondaries.

Therein lies the issue with really falling in love with Chicago. The Bears have obvious deficiencies in their secondary, and it’s hard to bet against Aaron Rodgers slicing and dicing his way to the endzone on practically every drive. It’s also a bit disconcerting for the Bears that Green Bay is 13-4 SU in their last 17 games at Soldier Field.

The NFC Championship betting trends don’t get much better overall for Chicago either. They’re 4-1 SU in their past 5 games at home, but they’re also 3-9 ATS in their past 12 games hosting the Packers.

I do feel that Chicago’s defense is being slighted in terms of coverage leading up to Sunday’s big game, but the fact remains that Green Bay has suddenly become the team we expected them to be all year. Chicago has never really been that consistent of a team –with or without Cutler – and while they enjoyed plenty of success this season, they’re also running in to a team that is peaking at the right time across the board.

Chicago also hasn’t proven that their success this season is an anomaly.

The Bears have some intangibles, but they don’t have a secondary which can contain Rodgers forever. Even if the front-seven are able to break in to the backfield and wreak havoc, Rodgers has all the mental tools he needs to stay calm and tenacious. That’s why your NFC Championship betting picks should ride with the road favorites.

Furious NFC Championship Betting Picks – Green Bay -3.5 (UNDER)

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