NFL Sports Book Odds on NFC Championship Disrespecting Chicago Again

Once again, the NFL sports book odds makers, and most NFL handicappers, are disrespecting the Chicago Bears.

The #2 seed in the NFC Playoffs put a beat down on the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday, 35 to 24, but the rival Green Bay Packers are the favorite in the sportsbook to win the NFC Championship Game this Sunday, January 23rd. The Packers will run onto Soldier Field not only as the favorite but also as the choice of 67% of football handicappers to win the NFC and gain a berth to Super Bowl XLV.

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Can Chicago prove their doubters wrong again? Or, will the Packers continue their impressive playoff run?

Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Chicago Bears (12-5)

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

When: Jan. 23rd, 2011 at 3:00 pm EST

TV: FOX

NFL Against the Spread Betting Line

Green Bay Packers -3 ½ -110

Chicago Bears +3 ½ -110

Check out some ATS betting trends for this game.

• The Green Bay Packers are 5 and 1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
• The Green Bay Packers are 9 and 3 ATS in their last 12 meetings in Chicago.
• The Chicago Bears are 6 and 1 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
• The Chicago Bears are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 home games.

The NFL sports book odds really aren’t giving the Bears their just due. I was all set to jump on the GB bandwagon when the odds were GB -3, but now that the NFL odds have traveled all the way up to GB -3 ½, I’m leaning towards backing Chicago against the spread.

Yes, the ½ a point can make that big of a difference in my mind. These two teams almost always play each other in an even game. Bears vs. Packers is the most historical rivalry in professional football. The two teams have played in over 180 games versus each other.

There is no love lost between these two teams. Green Bay RB Ryan Grant isn’t helping matters. He’s already tweeted GB fans to “book their Feb. flights” meaning that the Packers will beat the Bears at Soldier Field on January 23rd. Based on stats, Grant is probably right. Green Bay’s solid defense shut down Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wildcard Round holding arguably the NFL’s best offense to 352 total yards and only 16 points. Then, last Saturday in the Divisional Round, the Packers absolutely mauled the Atlanta Falcons Bear-like in a 48 to 14 victory. They forced 2 fumbles and forced Falcons’ QB Matt Ryan to throw 2 picks.

Making the case even more for Green Bay to cover the NFL sports book odds in the NFC Championship is the fact that the D has sacked Chicago QB Jay Cutler 9 times in less than 2 hours of play. Green Bay appears to be the team to back against the spread in the sportsbook, but it’s that ½ a point, that freakin’ ½ a point, that’s tripping me up.

Chicago beat Green Bay 20 to 17 in Week 3 during the regular season. Not only that, but they held the Packers to only 10 points in a 3 to 10 loss in Week 17. Chicago won 7 out of their last 9 regular season games straight up. Their defense is ranked 2nd in the league versus the rush allowing only 90.1 yards per game on the ground. They’ve gone 4 and 0 ATS in their last 4 games.

And, they take on the Packers at Soldier Field and in Chicago. That ½ a point is too much for me. I just don’t feel that the Packers will win this game by more than 3 points. I have to back the Bears at +3 ½ in the sportsbook.

NFC Championship Betting Pick: Chicago Bears +3 ½ -110

Log on for NFL sports book odds on this weekend’s NFC Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears!