Chicago Bears at New York Giants
Monday, 8/22/11, 8:00 PM EST, TV:  ESPN
Opening Point Spread:  New York -4.5
Current Betting Line:  New York -4.5
Opening Total:  35
Current Total:  35.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Chicago picked up a less-than-enthusiastic 10-3 home win over the Buffalo Bills last week as 2.5-point favorites to open up the preseason.  Bears head coach Lovie Smith was not happy with the effort, especially from an offensive line that allowed nine sacks collectively, as four of those were surrendered by four members of the first unit.  “Again, you get to the first game, you see where you are and you start making adjustments,” Smith commented.  Luckily for his sake, quarterback Jay Cutler was on the field for just a single series last week, but is likely to play two quarters under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.  Chicago is 1-8 ATS when playing NFC opponents in the preseason under Smith.

The Bears are also looking to build on a ground game that now includes former Dallas running back Marion Barber, as the free-agent acquisition rushed for 37 yards on six carries versus the Bills.  Taken in the fourth-round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Minnesota, Barber ran for 4,358 yards while in the Lone Star State.  On the other side of the ball, Chicago is likely to play without two key players, as linebacker Lance Briggs has been ruled out and Brian Urlacher is a game-time decision.

New York was handed a 20-10 road loss to the Carolina Panthers in its preseason opener as 2.5-point underdogs, being out-gained by 44 yards in the contest.  The Giants failed to score in starting quarterback Eli Manning’s five series, as he finished 4-of-9 for 36 yards.  “We never got into a great rhythm,” Manning commented.  “We missed some opportunities in the passing game, and never really got anything down the field.”  Giants backup Sage Rosenfels had better success in connecting on 13-of-19 passes for 129 yards.  New York is 17-25 ATS as preseason favorites.

The Giants sacked Cutler nine times in their 17-3 home win during last year’s regular season.  Three of those sacks were credited to defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who is expected to miss at least 3-4 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic on his right knee.  It’s been a tumultuous offseason for Umenyiora – just weeks after holding out of camp during contract issues.  Offensively, the offensive line has been receiving a lot of attention in practice, as a revamped unit is aiming to provide running back Ahmad Bradshaw enough room to allow him to gain over 1,000 yards for a second-straight year.

Bettors will likely back the Giants due to their overwhelming edge in the trenches with their defensive line going against the Bears offensive unit.

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