The Chicago Bears were dominant in the opening half against the Green Bay Packers last weekend as Khalil Mack left all Raiders fans in tears, but a miraculous second half from Aaron Rodgers ultimately sent them to a Week 1 loss. Their defense will look for a much tighter and more consistent performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, and with Doug Baldwin on the shelf the task should be a little easier. **video
We break down the five best ways to bet this Monday Night Football clash in Chicago.
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-4.5, 43)
QUICK HITTER
Russell Wilson remains one of the game’s best quarterbacks and, while his receiving options are limited, his mobility will come into play early in this game while he still has fresh legs. The Seahawks may not hold a lead after the first quarter but the price of them getting on the scoreboard in any capacity in the first 15 minutes is too good to pass on.
Prediction – First quarter points: Seattle over 1.5 (-125)
HALF TIME BET
The Legion of Boom days are gone, and the once vaunted Seattle defense is no more, but they should be able to keep this game relatively close in the first half as they have some very athletic bodies. Chicago will look for a stronger effort from Jordan Howard this week after he disappeared in the second half against Green Bay, and the opening half will be a battle of field position with the ground game of each team taking focus. Seattle knows they need to keep the pressure from the Bears front four to a minimum and moon shots down the field is not the way Seattle will have success on offense. With all things considered, and both teams taking the first half to establish field position, look at the Over combined field goals in the first half.
Prediction – First Half: Over 1.5 FG (+125)
TEAM/PLAYER BET
The Bears are in primetime for the second straight weekend, and have had more than a full week to digest their disappointing melt down against Green Bay at Lambeau last Sunday. However, the scene shifts for the Bears as they are at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football and you can be sure that the Chicago faithful will be fired up in this one, and play a factor in the outcome of the game. The Seahawks were dreadfull against the run last weekend versus the Broncos as Royce Freeman and Philip Lindsay ripped them for 146 yards, and now they have to deal with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen in what should be a repeat of last week. This is a great spot for Howard as he should shake off a tough debut by getting into the end zone Monday against Seattle.
Prediction – Jordan Howard touchdown anytime (-125)
FULL-GAME TOTAL
The addition of Khalil Mack to the Bears defense is not only a huge acquisition for Chicago, but it should greatly impact the totals on Bears games the rest of the year - the total in this one against Seattle is sitting at 43-points. The Bears managed only 23 points on a Packers defense that isn’t exactly elite caliber, while the Seahawks barely eclipsed Chicago by dropping 24 on the Broncos in Denver, and there are a handful of trends to support this matchup to be low scoring. The Bears have hit the Under in six of their last seven overall and in six of their last eight games at home, while Seattle has come Under the number in six of their last seven Week 2 games and nine of their last 12 against NFC opponents. Despite the absence of Doug Baldwin and Bobby Wagner in this game, which will impact the scoreboard on both sides of the ball for the Seahawks, the number here looks to be right on par in a game that should finish around 40 total points.
Prediction – Game Total: Under 43
FULL-GAME SIDE
It is still very early in the NFL season but we could very well be seeing the unfolding of the Seahawks as an NFC powerhouse before our eyes, as many of the key pieces to their success over the last decade have moved on. Wilson remains a very dangerous weapon behind center for the Hawks but he can only do so much against this Chicago pass rush, and with the struggles from the Seattle offensive line garnering attention in the preseason they won't be able to give Wilson enough time to get into a groove offensively. Chicago meanwhile should be furious with how things went last weekend and will bounce back on both sides of the ball as the Bears win by at least two field goals.
Prediction – Game Side: Bears -4.5
