Chicago Bears (3-7 SU, 5-4-1 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS)
NFL Week 12
Date/Time: Sunday, November 26, 2017 at 1PM EST
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: Fox
by Scott, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: CHI +13.5/PHI -13.5
Over/Under Total: 44
The Chicago Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in a week 12 matchup. The Eagles continue to roll and are now 9-1 after a 37-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. After falling behind going into the second half, the Eagles piled it on in the second half, while the defense chipped in with some big plays. They look for more against the incoming Bears. On Sunday, the Bears lost narrowly to the Lions, 27-24. They are 3-7 and on the heels of four straight losses. Still, they have been decent from a betting standpoint and opponents arent getting much separation from the Bears this season.
At 3-7 with four straight losses, the Bears arent doing great, but they have some things working and arent as far off as other teams with a similar record. A rookie quarterback and a growing ground-game offer promise for the future, as does rising talent on the other side of the ball. While the results havent been very good, the signs are there and the effort has been at a high level. Against a Detroit team that is playing pretty well, they were in it the whole game and the Lions needed a 52-yard field goal with time running out to salvage the win.
The Chicago offense is a combination of promise and growing pains. Mitchell Trubisky is a promising rookie who is still getting his feet wet at this level. Its hard to not like his presence behind center and he has added a set of lively legs to a blossoming running-game. In that area, Jordan Howard is becoming one of the more-dangerous running backs in the league and he was big again on Sunday. And with the contributions of Trubisky and Tarik Cohen, they are starting to put some things together on the ground. The aerial game is stripped pretty bare, with most of their main guys sidelined with injuries. Starting Kendall Wright and Dontrelle Inman at receiver tells you all you need to know about their aerial prowess. Anyone who was anyone in the Bears projected aerial package is now out of action.
Injuries have also been a roadblock for the Chicago defense. Injuries are one thing, but the Bears have caught a disproportionate amount of personnel setbacks. They have managed to show some resolve on this side of the ball and while not a great defense, they have still managed to hold all but one of their opponents in the twenties in scoring and below. On Sunday, the pass-rush showed some fire, with Christian Jones, Mitch Unrein, and Nick Kwiatoski each recording sacks. With Akiem Hicks and Leonard Floyd (out) also getting after it, there is some fire on this side of the ball, including a playmaking secondary that makes plays, though they arent always that stout.
You have to take you hats off to the Eagles. Those who have been betting on them will attest to that as the Eagles have covered every spread since September 24. The last three games have seen the Eagles not slowing down, but actually ramping up the dominance. Coming off the bye on Sunday, they were down 9-7 heading into the third quarter, before both sides of the ball started playing better. The defense is playing well and makes a lot of plays. On the other side of the ball, they are working with one of the rising forces at quarterback in Carson Wentz, along with a run-game that looks to be handful heading into the final six games of the season.
Heading into week 12, the Eagles have become the top-scoring offense in the NFL. They are really rolling lately. They are relying less on Wentz, who is still playing awfully well. But with LeGarrette Blount running hard and the addition of Jay Ajayi and the contributions of Corey Coleman, they are starting to apply a consistent and diverse run-game. It took a handful of weeks, but WR Alshon Jeffery is finally putting up numbers consistent with being a number-one receiver. There are any number of different ways this offense can get you and so far this season, they have been a very consistent group.
The Philadelphia defense is offering a lot of optimism for Eagles backers. They are aggressive, hard-hitting, and make a lot of plays. On Sunday, it was LB Nigel Bradham getting a score, as he returned a Dak Prescott fumble for a TD on Sunday. No team allows less production on the ground than the Eagles defense. The secondary is making big plays and on Sunday, Rodney McLeod, Malcolm Jenkins, and Ronald Darby all had interceptions. They have allowed less than 20 points per game. Up-front, they are getting a lot of good play from Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Tim Jernigan, and Brandon Graham. They have menace across all levels and are a major asset to the team.
This is a really big spread and Chicago has been pretty tough lately, at least keeping teams within distance. Its not easy to go against Philly the way theyre playing and with how dependable and consistent theyve been this season. But with the Bears not really letting opponents run wild, the Eagles would really need to perform well to put that kind of separation on the Bears. Even if the Eagles dont let up off the gas, as they are now 9-1 and have a stranglehold on the NFC East, this is a trappy spot for them. I see the Bears playing well enough to cover the spread.
Scott’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Im betting on the Chicago Bears plus 13.5 points. – Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a 50% bonus up to $250 at one of the web’s oldest and most trusted betting sites: BOVADA
