Chicago Bears Odds – Arrival of Cutler greatly improves Bears defense
The Chicago Bears have been looking for a franchise quarterback for a long time, which is why the arrival of Pro Bowl signal caller Jay Cutler immediately improves the Bears odds for the Super Bowl. Online betting handicappers will see the Bears odds in a new light now that the strong-armed Cutler is running the show. Will it be enough for the Bears to be serious players in Super Bowl odds?
Chicago Bears odds: +2300 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Cutler improves Bears odds of winning significantly
- Matt Forte will provide plenty of support for Cutler
- Bears defense should be fresher, more effective
It has been a very, very long time since the Bears had anyone respectable at quarterback (players like Cade McNown, Jim Miller and Rex Grossman come to mind). The problem for the Bears has been the fact that not only have they never had any capable quarterbacks, they’ve also had all sorts of starters that have hurt the team with mistakes and turnovers. Now, the Bears odds take a significant jump up because Cutler is not only adequate - he’s also capable of carrying the team. Cutler is a young, franchise quarterback and players like him are not often available on the trade market. While the Bears don’t have a ton of stars on offense, Cutler immediately becomes the foundation and the cornerstone of what their unit will be built around.
The Bears odds are pretty strong in the NFC North, and although many people think Cutler will be hung out to dry on offense, he’ll actually have more help than the general public knows. Running back Matt Forte proved to be a stud as a rookie last year and should only continue to improve. The Bears also have a capable tandem of tight ends in deep threat Greg Olsen and the reliable hands of Desmond Clark. Sportsbook odds makers will have to adjust the totals for Bears games and take the Cutler effect into account.
While the Bears are thin at wide receiver, that’s something that can change. There are some rumors that Plaxico Burress might be an option, which would skyrocket the Bears odds to the top of the NFC. In the meantime, the addition of Cutler has put a big smile on the face of everyone on the Bears defense, because that side of the ball has had to carry the team for nearly two decades. In recent years, they’ve frequently been put in horrible positions on the field, and have been forced to play more than they like to simply because the offense couldn’t carry its weight. Even so, the Bears defense has still been among the best in the league. The Bears odds are clearly improved now that their defense won’t have to play so much and can stay fresh on the sidelines.
The Bears defense is a veteran unit that is ready to win right now. Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, Tommie Harris and Alex Brown are all quality veterans, but they aren’t getting any younger. Now that the Bears offense will be able to score points now, defense will be afforded the opportunity to play less and to play with a bigger margin, which should make them far more effective.
The Minnesota Vikings might be the sexy pick to win the NFC North, but the Bears are the smart pick. Look for them to be significantly improved with Cutler running the show.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
