New York Jets at Chicago Bears, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Sunday, December 26, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Bears -1.5
Current Line: Bears -1
Opening Total: 37
Current Total: 36.5
Money Line: Bears -120 / Jets +100
Some could argue that this is the perfect letdown spot for the Chicago Bears (10-4) after becoming the first team in the NFL to clinch their division on national television Monday night. But the Bears (-1) still have a lot to play for in the final two games of the season and need to beat the New York Jets (10-4) on Sunday to finish with a winning record at home.
Chicago’s 40-14 rout of Minnesota improved the team’s record in the NFC North to 5-0, ensuring that Green Bay would not be able to win the division after the Packers lost at New England on Sunday night. Now the Bears are aiming for at least the #2 seed in the conference, which would give them a bye and one less round in the playoffs if they can just win out.
It will not be easy though against a New York team that still needs a victory to clinch a playoff berth despite pulling off an impressive 22-17 upset win at Pittsburgh last week. The Jets beat the Steelers by playing their game of running the ball and tough defense, which included a key safety with 2:38 remaining that prevented Pittsburgh from tying the game with a field goal.
Second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez was not overly impressive but also did not make any mistakes, completing 19 of 29 passes for 170 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Sanchez was aided by a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Brad Smith to start the game and then ran for a seven-yard touchdown off a bootleg play with 5:14 left in the third quarter to tie the game at 17.
New York’s offensive strength remains the running game, but LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combined for just 89 yards on 23 carries against the Steelers. They will be facing the NFL’s third-ranked run defense in Chicago and may need to rely on Sanchez more in this game. Sanchez is dealing with a sore shoulder that could become a factor if the Bears pass rush can get to him.
Chicago knocked Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out with a concussion in the second quarter of their latest victory, which helped the team forget about a brutal 36-7 loss to New England in the last home game. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had a passer rating over 100 for the third time in four games with 194 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Minnesota.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan has already said he will not kick to Chicago’s Devin Hester, who set a league record with his 14th kick return for a touchdown when he ran 64 yards for a score off a punt return against the Vikings. However, that strategy could also benefit Cutler and the Bears offense if New York does not kick deep and gives the opposition solid field position.
The Jets have been held to a combined 13 points in losing the last two meetings with Chicago, and the UNDER has cashed in the last seven games between the teams. Like the Bears, New York is 6-1 on the road this season, going 5-2 against the spread.
Now that you have read this football betting preview featuring the Bears & Jets, make sure to check out the NFL lines on this and all the games to compare the best odds at multiple sportsbooks.
