NFL Odds – Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears

Week three of the 2010 season finishes tonight with an NFC North tilt between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Both teams are looking to continue their perfect start to the season. The NFL odds expected the Packers to be perfect after two games, but the Bears were supposed to challenge the Lions for last in the NFC North.

In tonight’s game, the NFL odds have set the Green Bay Packers as the -3-point favorites. A straight up bet on the underdog Chicago Bears will pay bettors+130 on the moneyline. The game total is set at 46 points.

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NFL Odds
September 27, 2010

Green Bay Packers          -3 -105                  -150      
Chicago Bears                    +3 -115                 +130

Game Total         46

Location: Soldier Field – Chicago IL
Game Time: 8:35pm
TV: ESPN

The Chicago Bears fired everyone except Lovie Smith after last season’s disappointing 7-9 finish. Smith brought together a super group of former NFL head coaches help him turn the Bears around.  Smith’s coaching group includes former Vikings coach Mike Tice to run the offensive line, former Lions coach Rod Marinelli takes care of the defense, and offensive guru Mike Martz is taking control of the offense.

In two games, the Bears beat the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. While the Bears improvement is a group effort, you can argue that Mike Martz has had the biggest impact on the team.  Martz has taken quarterback Jay Cutler under his wing in an effort to transform Cutler into a consistent winner.

Cutler came into the league with incredible hype; some pundits were calling him the next Brett Favre or John Elway. However, Cutler couldn’t live up to the huge expectations. He was error-prone, routinely throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. In the Bears first two games, Cutler has completed 68.8% of his passes for 649 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception.

The Bears defense gave up only one offensive touchdown in Dallas last week. The Bears coaching super group is clearly working much to the NFL odds makers’ dismay.

The Green Bay Packers were the NFL odds favorites to win the North. Things are going well so far with wins over the Eagles and Buffalo Bills. However, in the game against the Eagles, they avoided Michael Vick until the game was already out of reach and a win over the Buffalo Bills is something 10 teams should be able to claim after the season is over. The Bears present the Packers with a perfect measuring stick.

The Packers led the NFL with 61 points after two weeks but there are some concerns. Rodgers is completing 63.3% of his passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions. They Packers lost starting running back Ryan Grant for the season with an ankle injury. His replacement Brandon Jackson only managed 29 yards against the Bills in week two.

The biggest concern is the health of tackle Chad Clifton. Clifton has trouble with his knees and he might not be in the lineup. He can’t go, so rookie Bryan Bulaga will start in his place.

If Clifton doesn’t start or even if he isn’t 100%, Aaron Rodgers will need to make sure his health insurance is up to date. It will be Clifton or Bulaga job to stop all-pro defensive end Julius Peppers from getting to Rodgers.

Peppers was the Bears biggest on field acquisition of the offseason. He’s already added a sack and a forced fumble to his stats. If he’s playing against an injured tackle or a rookie, he’ll have a huge night. 

Tonight I like the Bears to continue their surprising start. Cutler is playing well and the mismatch on the line will put Rodgers in a tough spot all game. The Packers are a great team but the Bears better than people realize. Looking at the NFL odds, I’m taking the Bears to win outright.

NFL betting pick: Chicago Bears +130