Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
Time: 1 PM ET, Sept 7, 2014
Spread: CHI -7
Total: 47

Betting odds courtesy of Bovada

The Chicago Bears haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 but will find itself 7-point favorites according to NFL oddsmakers as the Bears open the season against the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo has gone 6-10 the last three seasons, though, so even the Bears represent a challenge to a team that is expected to finish near the bottom of the standings.

Buffalo is still banking on Florida State alum E.J. Manuel to resurrect the offense. The Bills still are a heavily rush-dependent unit, and last year’s instability at the QB position caused a lot of problems. Manuel had a 4-6 record last season but just a 55 percent completion ratio and 1-4 mark on the road. Beginning the season in Chicago will represent a big test to the second-year QB and give him a chance to prove he can handle play on the road.

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are two strong backfield options for the Bills. The Bearsd defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will seek to put plenty of pressure on Manuel and the backs, though the Bears have typically been poor rushing passers. Chicago has a good run defense with a healthy D.J. Williams on the field. Without him last year, though, things were a disaster.

Chicago will be relying on a lot of older players, and the team also lacks depth. While unarguably the second best team in the NFC North, it remains a long shot for the Bears to win the division with Bovada giving it +275 in NFL Betting futures.

Jay Cutler must remain healthy this season, and Matt Forte must be able to coax out a couple more productive seasons before exiting his prime (he’s now almost 29). Chicago may not be set up for long-term brilliance, but the Bears are still a tough team most weeks and will likely prevail in this matchup as NFL Oddsmakers project.  Expect the Bears to be more aggressive this week defensively to test more pass rushes against a team that will have trouble handling it.