Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are a banged-up team, which might bring them down to the Chicago Bears’ level. The Packers are listed as the eight-point favorite against the Bears in the Thursday Night Football matchup. The total is set at 46 points. Green Bay is a -370 heavy favorite on the moneyline, with the Bears at +285.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
The Packers are 3-2 straight-up and 1-3-1 against the spread after losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Green Bay, which is 10-3 SU in their last 13 games after a loss, is thin in the running game and in pass coverage. Starting RB Eddie Lacy and backup RB James Starks are out, while top CB Sam Shields has been played on injured reserve and CBs Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are also sidelined.
Rodgers is off to a slow start, but the Packers offensive line is thriving at pass protection and the Bears have not had a consistent pass rush since switching to their 3-4 defense. Rodgers’ main targets, WR Jordy Nelson and WR Randall Cobb, will also face a Bears secondary that could be minus starting CBs Tracy Porter and Bryce Callahan.
The Packers are 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in their last eight games in Week 7.
Chicago is 1-5 SU and ATS so far this season after their loss against Jacksonville in Week 6. They are also 2-10 SU in their last 12 games against Green Bay. The Bears are going with journeyman QB Brian Hoyer.
With Green Bay challenged in pass coverage due to injuries, WR Alshon Jeffery rates a good shot at finally getting his first touchdown reception of the season. Second-year WR Cameron Meredith has also emerged in the last three weeks to complement Jeffery, covering for injuries to Eddie Royal and Kevin White.
The Bears’ streak of starting the same offensive line in each game is in jeopardy since LG Josh Sitton is doubtful. The Bears do not have a formidable ground game, while NT Letroy Guion and MLB Blake Martinez are helping Green Bay allow an NFL-best 3.0 yards per rush.
The Bears are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games against teams with winning records. The total has gone over in the Bears’ last five games after losing as a favorite. The total has gone under in eight of the Packers’ last nine home games.
