This year, the Chicago Bears head to Los Angeles as the underdogs by 7.5 points to face the Rams in Sunday Night Football.
The Bears started with Andy Dalton, disappointing most of their fans, despite Justin Fields being ready to step in. However, Matt Nagy and the rest of the Bears coaching staff are choosing to stick with Dalton during a hectic stretch of games.
The spread at all Illinois online sportsbooks is now 7.5, which is an increase from seven during the offseason. The only game with a larger spread difference is the Buccaneers (-8) vs. the Cowboys, the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Illinois sportsbooks are offering odds on the Bears, along with a preview of the upcoming game.
odds at Illinois sportsbooks for Bears @ Rams
Here, we analyze the odds of the Bears vs. Rams matchup.
These lines have been firmly set for Week 1, with odds being available for months. It is unlikely that there will be much change in the lines at this point, unless there is unexpected injury news.
According to numerous statistics, Los Angeles had the top defense in the NFL last season. The Rams ranked first in opponent yards per play, a reliable measure that eliminates variables like time of possession to show the true effectiveness of a defense. Many key players are returning, including Aaron Donald, who will face a Bears offensive line that has been pieced together.
The Rams led the NFL in baskets in 2020.
On the contrary, Chicago had a questionable offensive line going into training camp and suffered the loss of projected starting left tackle Teven Jenkins to back injuries.
Jason Peters, a 39-year-old training camp standout, could potentially step onto the field. Peters is regarded as one of the top tackles of his generation, but his lack of a contract may indicate a reason why he wasn’t signed. With Dalton’s limited mobility, it is likely that the Bears will face a tough challenge against the Rams on the road.
The Bears’ situation is challenging due to the uncertain offensive line and limited depth at wide receiver beyond Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. Dalton could thrive in a more favorable environment.
The over/under for the game is set at 45, and there is a serious debate about how much Chicago will contribute to that total.
Chicago will encounter a comfortable adversary in Matthew Stafford.
The Rams made a major move in the NFL offseason by acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Lions. Head coach Sean McVay, known for his offensive prowess, is excited to work with the talented quarterback who has previously played on underperforming Lions teams.
According to the plan, it seems like a perfect match made in heaven. However, if you can’t defeat the Bears in Week 1, there is very little margin for error on defense.
On paper, the Chicago defense is unquestionably its greatest strength.
Star players such as Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson, and Roquan Smith are performing at their peak, bringing excitement to fans. However, the team still requires additional new talent to reach the level of the top-five product it once was.
The Bears released Kyle Fuller due to salary cap constraints, sparking concerns about the team’s cornerback depth. Aside from Jaylon Johnson, Chicago is banking on a combination of inexperienced late-round picks and journeyman players. Johnson showed promise in his rookie season, but the team’s success may hinge on the effectiveness of their pass rush.
The Rams’ Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are expected to see an uptick in production thanks to Matthew Stafford’s improvement at quarterback. With a talented group of receivers, Los Angeles made strides on offense this past season, finishing 19th in yards per play under Jared Goff’s direction.
With the addition of Stafford, it is expected that the Rams will once again secure a spot in the top 10. Even if the partnership between Stafford and McVay encounters some difficulties initially, it may not matter as much since we have already experienced challenges with the Nagy-Dalton union.
