NFL Week 1 Predictions: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears
Sunday, 9/9/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -9
Current Betting Line: Chicago -10
Opening Total: 40.5
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Falcons Vs Bears Game Preview — The Chicago Bears are ready to open their 2012 schedule against the rebuilding Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis opens the regular season on the road, finishing the preseason with a 2-2 record. The Colts ranked second in the AFC in passing yards in those four contests, with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck completing 41-of-66 passes for 522 yards, while throwing for three touchdowns and finishing with a passer rating of 89.3. Expectations are high due to taking the former Stanford star with the first overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. Indianapolis is 4-4 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two years, while the “under” is 6-2 in that situation.

The Colts own a 22-18 series advantage against the Bears, but suffered a 29-13 setback as 10-point home favorites in the last meeting on Sept. 7, 2008. Indianapolis will be led by new head coach Chuck Pagano, who built his reputation on the defensive side of the ball with the Baltimore Ravens. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne is Luck’s main offensive threat on the perimeter, franking second in franchise history with 862 catches for 11,708 yards. Since 2000, the team has gone 8-4 in its last 12 season openers, but suffered a humiliating 34-7 setback in Houston last year.

Chicago is hoping that reuniting quarterback Jay Cutler with wide receiver Brandon Marshall will ignite the offense, as the two hooked up 102 times for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. The duo played their first three NFL seasons together with the Denver Broncos. “We did some good stuff when we were there,” commented Cutler this week. The last time that Marshall lined up against the Colts was in 2009, which resulted in an NFL record 21 catches. Chicago is 5-6 ATS as a home favorite the last two seasons.

The Bears must protect Cutler under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, who takes over for the departed Mike Martz, as he’s been sacked an NFL-high 110 times during his time in the Windy City. On the other side of the ball, virtually all discussion has surrounded middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who went through a full practice on Wednesday. Perhaps the most important player is running back Matt Forte, who inked a major deal in the offseason, ranking third in the league with an average of 123.9 scrimmage yards in 2011.