Philadelphia Eagles v. Chicago Bears Football Betting Predictions
Written September 26, 2008 by Brad Marchetti
The Chicago Bears have yet to show they can close the show. The Bears are 1-2 after blowing consecutive late game leads. This week the Bears will host a nicked up Philadelphia Eagles squad in primetime at 8:15 ET on ESPN. The Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears series has been dominated by the Eagles who have won the last four meetings. Philly is looking very strong coming off a convincing 15-6 win over Pittsburgh in NFL week 3. Chicago is desperately trying not to start off in a 1-3 hole. The NFL betting odds for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears game is Philly -3 points.
A nasty Philadelphia pass-rush that recorded 9 sacks last week will be attacking the line of scrimmage on almost every play. Bears starting QB Kyle Orton is a caretaker with the football that will need RB Justin Forte to keep the hounds off him. Forte (6′1″ 224 4.45 40-time) will be relied upon to move the chains and set up the play action pass. The Eagles have been stifling with the their run D allowing only 2.4 yards per carry. The Philadelphia linebackers have shown great athleticism. Matt Forte has provided Orton with a short range target along with TE’s Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark. Philly has been hit in the air for a 84.5 passer rating despite their feared pass-rush. Eagles corners Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown have been adequate but nothing special. Look for the Bears to try and mix it up and play conservative. Chicago kicker Robbie Gould is a weapon who is accurate inside 50-yards. Philly punter Sav Rocca is having a banner year (44.1 net). Chicago special teams demon Devin Hester (4.20 40-speed) is ailing with a rib injury. The NFL betting odds OVER\UNDER for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears game is at 40.5 points.
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The Philadelphia Eagles offense will not be operating on all cylinders this Sunday with QB Donovan McNabb (chest) and RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) nursing injuries. In order for the Eagles offense to have success they will need some help from their reserves. Solid RB’s Correll Buckhlater and Lorenzo Booker will play key roles in place of the injured Westbrook. Booker (4.40 40-speed) is like a poor man’s Westbrook with good hands out of the backfield. Starting Eagles TE L.J Smith (back) could also be on the sidelines. The Bears will try and make McNabb (102.8 passer rating) beat them with his arm. Not 100% healthy, McNabb will need some help from WR’s Hank Baskett (6′4″ 220) and rookie DeSean Jackson (4.35 40-speed). The Eagles wideouts will be met by an ordinary group of Bears DB’s that were smoked for 407 yards passing last week against Tampa Bay. The Eagles O-line has been excellent allowing the offense to convert on 45.7 3rd down situations. The Bears front seven is one of the 10-best in the NFL with an elite group of linebackers led by Brian Urlacher. The Bears have excellent run defense allowing only 3.4 yards per carry. One key x-factor will be the health of McNabb’s #1 receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring).
The Eagles are not the same team with Westbrook is out which is why they have a short NFL betting odds price tag of -3. Chicago is still a potent pill on defense with some run stuffers in the front seven. The health of Brian Westbrook is the biggest factor in handicapping this game.
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