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Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons Football Betting Odds & NFL Predictions

Written October 12, 2008 by Brad Marchetti

Two young, talented NFL QB’s will meet at 1 PM in Atlanta, GA in the Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons game. The NFL betting odds on this “sleeper” game has the Bears as -3 chalk on the road. The Falcons are riding a wave of momentum with RB Michael Turner leading the way. Bears QB Kyle Orton has been tossing some missiles suddenly for a 3-2 Bears team starting to show some fangs. The NFL betting odds for the Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons game has Chicago at -3 on the SPREAD.

Michael Turner (5.2 YPC. 6 TD) is a force to be reckoned with for the Atlanta offense. The Bears will counter the 240 LB. Turner’s power with a bullying front seven wrecking crew led by MLB Brian Urlacher. Urlacher (4.40 40-speed) will team with an emerging D-line with a disruptive force in DE Alex Brown (3.0 Sacks). The Falcons offense has either been magnificent or dull in rookie QB Matt Ryan’s first year. Ryan, (75.3 passer rating) has shown poise in the pocket, along with good field vision. Ryan has dangerous weapons in Turner, backup RB Jerrious Norwood (4.35 40-speed) and 6′0″ 208 Lb. (4.40 40-speed) WR Roddy White (26 Rec. 454 Yds. 2 TD). The Bears have created pressure in their 4-3 with big men upfront to help a secondary allowing a 68.6 passer rating. Back this week for the Bears will be elite DT Tommie Harris from suspension. The idea will be to confuse Atlanta QB Matt Ryan with pressure and force him into turnovers. The Falcons are weak on offense when they are one-dimensional. The Falcons have done a good job of protecting Ryan (7 sacks in 131 pass attempts), but they might be overwhelmed by a Bears D that has recorded 12.0 sacks and has All-Pro LB’s in Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Chicago QB Kyle Orton (87.6 passer rating) has been tossing around the pigskin very well in his 4th NFL season. Orton (55 MPH pass-speed = 95 MPH Fastball) has a new weapon in KRWR Devin Hester (4.20 40-speed). Hester has recognized the progress his leader in the huddle has made: “Kyle is real poised, He doesn’t let things get to him. He’s relaxed in the pocket. It seems like he wants to be the guy that takes control of the game.” Orton, Hester and rookie RB Matt Forte (3.6 YPC 4 TD) have produced the 9th best scoring offense in the NFL. Atlanta DE John Abraham and the Falcons will need to shore up their run defense when they face Matt Forte. Forte, (4.45 40-speed) is a physical back that sets the tone for the Bears offense. Atlanta is yielding a weak 4.6 YPC. on run defense. The Bears O-line has done a decent job and should handle the Falcons D-line. Atlanta has a nice crew of LB’s that can stop the run with the best of them. The key will be for Atlanta to contain WR Devin Hester and get 370 Lb. NT Grady Jackson mauling upfront. The NFL betting odds OVERUNDER is at 43.5 points.

The Falcons are on a roll and playing at home. The Chicago offense has come of age, and they are aided by a steamrolling defense. Kyle Orton seems to have put his tools together. Both of these teams have solid special teams but Devin Hester is a game-changer. Lovie Smith might have the slight coaching staff edge over rookie Atlanta coach Mike Smith. The NFL betting odds MONEYLINE is Chicago -160 in the Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons game.

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