The Chicago Bears (1-1) will go up against the Cleveland Browns as underdogs on the road at FirstEnergy Stadium this Sunday.
The opening consensus line at Browns -9 has fluctuated throughout the week at several Illinois sportsbooks, indicating potential sharp action on the Bears.
Chicago secured their first winter win this past Sunday by defeating the Bengals 20-17. Justin Fields, experiencing extended playing time for the first time in his NFL career, helped the team regain their defensive shape.
Heading into Week 3, Illinois sportsbooks are offering the best odds for the Chicago Bears.
At Illinois casinos, the odds are Bears vs. Brown.
Make sure to look at the betting lines for the Bears vs. Browns game on Illinois sports betting apps.
As of now, it remains uncertain who will be starting as the Bears’ player.
Click here to read about the updated odds for Justin Fields winning Rookie of the Year.
After a strong start against the Bengals, Andy Dalton was forced to exit the game due to a leg injury. With Dalton sidelined for the next few weeks, Justin Fields will step in as the starting quarterback.
The cub’s performance was inconsistent when compared to Cincinnati, but it was definitely better than what the final statistics indicated.
Darnell Mooney failed to catch a potential big gain, Allen Robinson missed a chance for a long touchdown, and a key catch by Cole Kmet was overturned due to a controversial offensive pass interference call.
Despite his talent, Fields faced obstacles, including a costly interception that boosted the confidence of some bettors and several false start penalties. This highlighted both his abilities and his shortcomings.
This Sunday, he will have the chance to either swim or sink. The Bears’ line moved half a point in their favor on Wednesday after Fields was confirmed as the starter.
The Browns are a formidable foe for the Bears.
The Browns are among the top teams in the AFC, averaging 30 points scored per game in their last two matches.
After a tough loss to the Chiefs, the team bounced back with a 31-21 victory over the Texans. The Bears’ defense shined on Sunday, sacking Joe Burrow three times and limiting the Bengals to just 248 total yards.
Nonetheless, the combination of Baker Mayfield, a top-tier offensive line, and the dynamic running back duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will present a formidable challenge for the Bengals. While Cincinnati certainly had talent, they were limited in their offensive approach. The Browns, on the other hand, will have the advantage of playing at home and showcasing their full arsenal of weapons.
Make sure to monitor the status of Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman this week, although it may not be as significant as the quarterback decision. He is known as one of the top run-stoppers in the league, but he has not yet played this season. There is a possibility that he will make his debut in Week 3.
The Browns rank third in the league with an average of 154.5 rushing yards per game. Chicago has held up well against the run, but the performance of Goldman on Sundays will be key this year.
The Bears’ defense continues to be strong, with their pass rush being equally effective. In Sunday’s game, they managed to record four sacks, with Eddie Jackson and Khalil Mack showcasing their true abilities compared to their performance in Week 1 against the Rams. While Jaylon Johnson and Roquan Smith are also making an impact, the team relies on their top players to make game-changing plays like they did on Sunday.
How are the Bears doing this year against the unfold?
The Bears’ record against the spread is either 1-1, 0-1-1, or 0-2 depending on the number received against the Bengals.
The line started at Bears -3.5 against Cincinnati. If you had bet on them to win outright, you would have lost.
After the Bears’ three-point victory, the line closed at two or 1.5 at most casinos, resulting in either a push or a cover for those who waited.
