Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Sunday, October 24, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Bears -3
Current Line: Bears -2.5
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 40
Money Line: Bears -150 / Redskins +130
The Chicago Bears (4-2) will look to avoid back-to-back losses at home on Sunday when they host the Washington Redskins (3-3). The Bears (-2.5) are coming off a disappointing 23-20 loss last week to Seattle at Soldier Field despite the return of quarterback Jay Cutler, who was sacked another six times to bring the team’s season total to an NFL-worst 27. Chicago will also welcome home Donovan McNabb and try to beat him for the third time in four years. With this game being lined around the key number of 3, be sure to compare odds at multiple sportsbooks on our NFL odds page.
McNabb is a native of the Windy City and won there last year 24-20 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after losing to the Bears in each of the previous two seasons. He threw for 244 yards against Chicago with two touchdowns and one interception but will obviously not have the same weapons with him this time around.
Instead, McNabb will depend on wide receiver Santana Moss and running back Ryan Torain to help carry the Washington offense because the team’s defense remains a major question mark. Torain was the lone bright spot in a 27-24 home loss to Indianapolis last Sunday night, rushing for a career-high 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Redskins surrendered 469 yards to the Colts, including 170 on the ground to a team that was struggling mightily to run the ball before facing them. Washington dropped three potential interceptions and did not take full advantage of three fumbles lost by Indy, failing to capitalize on a positive turnover ratio.
The Bears may have suffered a more frustrating setback though, as they still have not solved their offensive line problems and remain on pace to shatter the league mark for most sacks given up in a season. That does not bode well for Cutler and his survival for the remainder of the year, so insiders expect the team to focus more on the run against the Redskins this week.
Chicago running back Matt Forte rushed for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-6 victory at Carolina two weeks ago, and he will need to work better with backup Chester Taylor to take some pressure off Cutler and the passing game. Many feel the duo has not been given enough opportunities in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s pass-happy system with Cutler under center. Forte and Taylor performed well against the Panthers because reserve quarterback Todd Collins started and threw four interceptions in an offense that was more geared to run the ball.
The Redskins are 6-2 against the spread in the last eight meetings with the Bears, winning each of the last three games between the teams straight-up. The UNDER is 8-2-1 in Washington’s last 11 games during the month of October and 8-2 in Chicago’s last 10 games on grass.
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