Jets Bears Betting – Two Playoff Teams Battle For Position
The betting experts are starting to believe in the Chicago Bears. After demolishing the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football to win the NFC North title, the Bears turn their sights on second place in the NFC and a first round playoff bye. The New York Jets just want to show the football betting world that they are for real and can beat a quality team when they need to.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Sunday, December 26th, 1:00 PM ET
- Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Pick: Chicago Bears (no line)
What’s On The Line
The Chicago Bears (10-4) are now tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the number two seed in the NFC behind the Atlanta Falcons. Being the number two seed means a bye in the first round of the playoffs and home field until the Bears have to play the Falcons. The Jets (10-4) are not going to catch the New England Patriots for first place in the AFC East, so New York is playing for the sixth and final playoff spot as one of the two AFC wild cards.
Offensive Matchups: Jets Bears Betting
New York quarterback Mark Sanchez played much better in the week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The running game for New York also got going a bit as LaDainian Tomlinson seemed to really help stretch out an aggressive Pittsburgh defense. But the Steelers were without safety Troy Polamalu who can make a huge difference in the opposition passing game. With the Chicago defense completely healthy, Sanchez will have to learn to adjust again.
The Chicago offense seems cool, calm and collected. The line is blocking extremely well and running back Matt Forte showed a lot of power and determination in the win over Minnesota that he had not shown in the past. Quarterback Jay Cutler is improving dramatically and seems to be clicking with offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Cutler was extremely accurate against the Vikings, and remains under control in pressure situations.
Betting Edge: Bears
Defensive Matchups: Jets Bears Betting
The Jets defense went head-to-head with Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense and got the best of Pittsburgh. Big Ben was running from pressure all night long, and the linebackers were extremely active against the run. One thing that Pittsburgh did show the rest of the league is how to beat Darelle Revis. When Roethlisberger would get the ball out in front of his receiver, Revis had no shot at it. That may be something that Martz and Cutler exploit.
The Bears defense probably, and finally, knocked Brett Favre out of the NFL. The Bears front line pressure was relentless. Defensive lineman Julius Peppers picked up one interception and almost caused another. Brian Urlacher contained the run game almost single handedly. The safeties and corners for Chicago are significantly more aggressive than people give them credit for, and they were able to hang with the Vikings receivers all night long.
Betting Edge: Bears
Notable Injuries: Jets Bears Betting
Out of the game for the Jets are defensive end Trevor Pryce (hip), safety Eric Smith (concussion) and tackle Damien Woody (knee). Safety James Ihedigbo (ankle) is questionable.
Running back Chester Taylor (knee) and cornerback Charles Tillman (foot) are a little hobbled but they will play. Only linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) is questionable, but he is expected to play as well.
Betting Edge: Bears
Outlook and Pick: Jets Bears Betting
Just add it up and you will see that the Bears own this game before it even starts. The Bears defense is aggressive enough to disrupt the Jets offense, and the Bears offense is confident enough to get past the Jets defense. There is just too much here for the Jets to handle.
Pick: Chicago Bears
