As the Chicago Bears prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, they are not just known for losing by field goals. Unfortunately, this specific venue has not been favorable for them during Matt Nagy’s tenure as head coach.
As of November 1, the Steelers hold a 6.5-point lead over the Bears. Despite Chicago’s recent 33-22 loss to the 49ers, rookie quarterback Justin Fields showed promising improvement in his professional performance.
Despite Ben Roethlisberger’s age, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won three matches in a row and currently hold a record of 4-3, showcasing the team’s talented defense.
Below are the top Bears lines available at Illinois online sportsbooks, along with a preview of the upcoming matchup.
Bears @ Steelers odds
The odds for the Chicago vs. Pittsburgh game at sportsbooks in Illinois are as follows:
Ever since the Bears brought on Nagy, their record against the spread as underdogs by more than a field goal is 2-17 straight up and 3-16.
Monday night will see the Bears’ defense dealing with mounting injuries. Eddie Jackson exited the game early with a hamstring injury, while Khalil Mack was unable to play against the 49ers.
On Sunday, the 49ers gained 467 yards of total offense, while the Chicago defense surprisingly faltered. It seems that the Bears’ secondary struggles when Mack and Robert Quinn are not both on the field and playing at their best.
In their next two games, Chicago’s defense has allowed a total of 71 points. The team is relying on their defense to perform well, and signs are promising in that area of the game.
As previously noted, Fields outshined San Francisco with his impressive performance. He scored two touchdowns, made several impressive plays, and gained 278 yards of offense. His stats would have been even better if not for an interception on a desperation pass.
Increased movement in the betting odds for Justin Fields to win Rookie of the Year.
However, despite Fields’ improved play, the Bears only managed to score 22 points, indicating that the offense may still struggle to carry the load. Additionally, the quarterback has faced challenges while playing on the road this year.
Fields’ away game stats outside of Soldier Field include completing 40 out of 72 passes (55.6%) for 363 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. On average, he gains just five yards per passing attempt in those games.
Fields ran for over 100 yards after Chicago unleashed him, using his legs against the 49ers. Despite likely preparing to defend against his running ability, the team would be wise to do the same against the Steelers.
A look at the successful run of the Steelers andrsquo
Pittsburgh has won its last three games against the Browns, Seahawks (without Russell Wilson), and Broncos by a combined 16-point margin. The Steelers held all three teams to under 20 points.
The Steelers have an average yards per sing but excel at putting pressure on quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the Bears rank third in baskets per game, although they do give up a fair amount of buckets.
Chicago is allowing an average of 3.8 sacks per game, the highest in the NFL. Given Fields’ struggles against the blitz this season, it is likely that Pittsburgh will increase their pressure on Monday night.
In the past, the Steelers were known for their emphasis on passing, but lately, they have been leaning heavily on rookie running back Najee Harris during their successful streak. Although Pittsburgh isn’t putting up high scores, they are playing competitive football. Harris has had at least 23 carries in each of his last three games.
Essentially, the Bears and Steelers are aiming to achieve similar goals by effectively running the ball, reducing quarterback mistakes, and dominating their competition.
What’s the problem with Chicago? Currently, Pittsburgh seems to excel in all three areas, particularly when it comes to security. Moreover, the Bears may struggle at Heinz Field without a strong defensive showing.
