Chicago Bears at New York Giants
Friday, 8/24/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: New York -3.5
Current Betting Line: New York -3
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 40.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Chicago split its two home games of the 2012 NFL preseason, as the squad comes off a 33-31 victory over the Washington Redskins as one-point favorites. The Bears are still a bit concerned about the offensive line’s ability to protect quarterback Jay Cutler, as the group allowed four sacks last Saturday. Head coach Lovie Smith has compiled a 17-18 straight-up record in preseason play, but the franchise is just 11-18 ATS in Week 3 of the preseason since 1983.
The Bears are happy to see that Cutler has gotten over fracturing his throwing thumb last November, but the team is still without the services of defensive captain Brian Urlacher, who is focused on returning to the field in the regular season opener. “He’s a Hall of Fame player,” commented Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “But we’ll work with the guys we have right now.” Defensive end Israel Idonije has made things easier for the unit, collecting 2.5 sacks in the first quarter against the Redskins.
New York is very similar to the rest of the teams around the league this week, as it uses this particular game to simulate to its players what to expect during the regular season. The Giants bounced back from a one-point loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their preseason opener, capturing an impressive 26-3 victory over the New York Jets as one-point road underdogs. Head coach Tom Coughlin is 35-32 in his career during exhibition play.
The Giants will likely concentrate on running the football early on, as they are averaging just 3.2 yards per carry in the first two preseason games, which shows a lack of improvement after ranking last in the NFL in rushing in 2011. New York ran the ball 32 times against the Jets, but managed to average just 1.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Eli Manning has completed 50 percent of his passes for 122 yards in limited action, as this will likely serve as his final tuneup for the regular season.
Sports bettors will likely back the Bears in this spot, as they entered the preseason with a 6-0 ATS mark as underdogs with preseason revenge. Chicago was handed a 41-13 loss in this series a year ago.
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