The Chicago Bears travel to take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football action tonight. The game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Jets as a small favorite at home in this one.
Chicago is an underdog in this game, traveling east to take on the Jets. Both squads have started their seasons with 1-1 records and one will move into a tie for first place in their division after this game tonight.
The Bears have a couple of banged up skilled position players, but both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are expected to play tonight. Jay Cutler looked very good at getting those two the football in the second half last week, a win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears will look to win back-to-back road games if they can pick up a victory over these Jets, something they didn't accomplish at all last season.
Geno Smith had a very good opening week of the season, leading his team to a victory over the Oakland Raiders. While he was inconsistent at times against Green Bay last week, Smith still looks like he has taken the next step at being a solid NFL quarterback. Tonight he will face off against a Bears defense that forced four San Francisco turnovers last week and are hungry for more. Chicago is dealing with some injuries on that side of the football as well.
These teams have met twice on the field dating back to 2006, with Chicago winning both games. The Bears are just 12-24 on Monday Night Football when playing on the road. The Jets have won 12 of their last 21 MNF games.
Did we mention Bears injuries? They Bears have some problems on the offensive line as well, with both Roberto Garza and Matt Slauson battling some nagging injuries. If Chicago has to use backups up front that's certainly good news for a very solid Jets defensive line that features Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson looking to get after Cutler.
But the Bears really showed their moxie last week when coming from behind on the road to beat the 49ers. Certainly Rex Ryan will have his boys ready to go tonight as well in what should be a solid game between good clubs. Don't forget, the Bears could potentially be looking ahead as well, with Green Bay on deck next week. The last six games prior to taking on Green Bay, Chicago has faltered to go just 1-5 straight up and against the spread.
This one should come down to turnovers. The Bears are +2 in turnover differential this season while the Jets sit at -2 through their first two games. Cutler will have no problems getting the football to Matt Forte out of the backfield and into the flats. Along with the two freak receivers in Marshall and Jeffery, Chicago will look for the upset here.
Free Pick: Chicago 24, New York Jets 21
Handicapping Tips: Derivative Betting
Steve Fezzik, from Pregame.com take a look at some handicapping tips pertaining to derivative betting. This includes a free pick from Steve.
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