Seahawks Bears Betting – Seattle Flies Into Hostile Chicago Territory
The sports betting world is starting to see what the Bears meant when they took the time to go out and get defensive lineman Julius Peppers. The Bears defense is fifth in points surrendered with only giving up 14 points per game. The Bears are holding teams to 79 yards per game on the ground which makes them the fifth best rushing defense in the league. In short, the Bears fixed their defense.
The Seahawks have problems on both sides of the ball. They are 23rd in the league with only averaging 198 pass yards per game. Now that they have given former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch back to the Patriots, people in Seattle are wondering who Hasselbeck will be throwing the ball to.
NFL Preview for October 17, 2010: Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears (-7)
Offense:
Jay Cutler may still be out with a concussion and it may be Todd Collins again in this game at quarterback for the Bears, but the Bears have been fortunate in that the two teams they would have to face without Cutler are not NFL betting powerhouses. Collins was more than enough at quarterback to beat the Carolina Panthers in week five, and he should provide an adequate performance against the Seahawks.
The NFL scores in the Seattle Seahawks games have been decidedly against the Seahawks even though the team is 2-2. The Seahawks are scoring an average of 19 points per game, but in their last game before the bye week the Seahawks could not manage a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams. If the Seahawks thought it was tough sledding against the Rams, then they are in for a long day with the Bears.
Defense:
The Chicago Bears defense is, once again, feared throughout the league. The the addition of Julius Peppers to the defensive line, linebacker and team leader Brian Urlacher is free to roam the middle of the field. When Urlacher can choose where he lines up and decide if he wants to rush the passer or cover the tight end, the Bears are almost impossible to beat underneath.
The Seahawks are a study in both ends of the defensive spectrum. Their front seven have been absolutely lights out against the run. The Seahawks are only allowing an average of 73 yards per game on the ground this season. That could spell problems for the Bears if Cutler cannot play and they have to rely on running back Matt Forte.
On the other hand, the Seahawks are 31st in the NFL against the pass by allowing a staggering average of 302 yards per game in the air. If Cutler plays, the Seahawks have no chance.
The Bottom Line:
Chicago head coach Lovie Smith has been quoted as saying that there is a very good chance that quarterback Jay Cutler will play in this game against the Seahawks. With Cutler throwing the ball down the field and Peppers pounding Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck into the ground, the NFL betting lines say it is doubtful that Seattle will be able to find any way to win this game against the Bears.
Pick: Chicago Bears 42-13
