Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers Betting Preview/Prop Picks
18 September 2022
Time: 8:20 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 130.757; Green Bay 131.573
Dunkel Line & Total: Green Bay by 1; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Green Bay by 10; 43
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+10); Under
The Sunday Night Football game is a showdown between the NFC North. The Chicago Bears, with a 1-0 record, will face off against the 0-1 Green Bay Packers.
Last week, the Chicago Bears earned a 19-10 record over the San Francisco 49ers. They played in adverse conditions, with the field nearly flooded. This week, it'll be in much better conditions as they play in Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers are returning home after facing the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers have had to play back-to-back rivalry games which is a tall task to start the season.
Last week the Packers offense had a tough time getting going. This week, they'll look to get a faster start after a 23-7 loss in Week 1. The question is, can they cover a 10-point spread against Chicago?
Chicago Bears: Justin Fields needs to protect the ball
Last week, Justin Fields went 8-17, throwing 121 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. One thing he'll need to do this week is to make sure to avoid turnovers.
The last thing he'll want to do is give the ball back to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. They can help open up the passing game by running the ball with Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery.
Defensively, the Bears forced a few turnovers last week when they played the 49ers. As they face the Packers, they'll need to get a strong pass rush going.
They likely have gone over the Packers film from last week and saw how Rodgers performs under pressure. If they can get a few sacks in, the Bears should be able to force the Packers out of their game plan.
Green Bay Packers: How can Green Bay win this game?
The Packers' offense put up 338 yards of offense against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Although they earned over 300 yards, they only scored seven points.
Unfortunately for them, rookie wide receiver Christian Watson dropped what would've been a 75-yard touchdown. The good news is Allan Lazard is expected to be back in the lineup for the Packers on Sunday night.
With Lazard back in the lineup, Rodgers will have a more reliable receiver to throw to. We also expect to see a lot from RB AJ Dillon, who really turned it up in the second half last week.
The mixture of running and passing should provide Rodgers with extra time as well. It's also important to remember that the Packers are playing at home, a tough place for away teams.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers Betting Pick
The Bears come into this game as 10-point underdogs, a surprising spread. Considering the Bears actually won last week, we're surprised they're such heavy underdogs.
The large spread gives the Bears a bit of wiggle room against the Packers. Since the Packers' offense struggled last week, Chicago should keep this game close.
Now, that doesn't mean that the Bears will win; just keep it within 10 points. We're also going to take the under in this game since both offenses scored under 20 points last week. Last week the Bears covered the spread, and we think they'll do so again this week.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Chicago Bears +10, UNDER
Prop Picks
Green Bay (-110) UNDER 26.5 Points
Chicago allowed 23.9 points per game on defense last season, which ranked No. 21 in the NFL. Green Bay averaged 25.6 points per game on offense last season, which ranked No. 10 in the NFL. Scores have gone UNDER in five of the Packers’ last seven games as a home favorite.
With Dunkel predicting a Green Bay win by the score of 19-18,take the Packers (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 26.5 points against the Bears.
Justin Fields (-115) UNDER 196.5 Passing Yards
Chicago averaged 188.6 passing yards per game last season, which ranked No. 30 in the NFL. Green Bay allowed 212.8 passing yards per game last season, which ranked No. 6 in the NFL. That average decreased to 199.2 passing yards per game at home.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas point total, take Fields (-115) to finish UNDER 196.5 passing yards versus the Packers.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
