Steelers vs Bears Odds - Steeler ‘D’ will prey on Cutler

The Steelers vs Bears odds would’ve been a Super Bowl preview in many online betting players’ eyes a week ago but amazingly, much has changed in just one week. Jay Cutler tested Bears fans’ patience and Chicago lost Brian Urlacher for the year. Can the Bears overcome adversity and handle the defending champion Steelers?

Steelers vs Bears Odds: Steelers -3 (Total: 37.5)

• WHAT: NFL betting
  
• WHEN: Sunday, September 20, 4:15 p.m. ET
  
• WHERE: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL
  
• KEY STAT: Bears are 2-6 against the spread in September over last three years
  
• PICK: Steelers -3; over the total of 37.5

Steelers vs Bears odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
So far, so good for the Steelers...sort of. Their running game looks suspect but the passing game seems ready to carry the offensive load this season, so there’s no dramatic storyline for Steeltown in Week 2. The Bears, however, are nervous after Cutler’s four-interception performance in Week 1. A loss could send NFL betting fans leaping from the Chicago bandwagon.

Steelers vs Bears odds maker breakdown: Offense
Each team has some major offensive weapons but each team has holes to match those weapons. Ben Roethlisberger rekindled his magic from the Super Bowl with Santonio Holmes in Week 1; Holmes caught nine passes for 131 yards and a score while Big Ben threw for 363 yards. Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers running game was ineffective and may struggle again, even with Brian Urlacher out for Chicago.

The Bears are set at tailback with the versatile, savvy Matt Forte but the passing game looked out of sorts in Week 1. It definitely wasn’t all Cutler’s fault, as at least a pair of his interceptions were the result of miscommunications with his young, green receivers.

Betting Edge: Draw

Steelers vs Bears odds maker breakdown: Defense
Troy Polamalu should miss roughly half the season with a knee sprain and, while his absence stings, the Steelers have so much talent on defense that they’ll still terrorize Chicago. James Harrison and the vicious front seven held Tennessee, a rushing juggernaut, to 86 yards on 25 attempts last week.

Chicago did a great job getting to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay last week and Ben Roethlisberger takes sacks as much as any pivot in the league, but sportsbook players should remember that much of Chicago’s success was a result of Green Bay’s horrible O-line play. The Bears won’t have it so easy this week.

Betting Edge: Steelers

Steelers vs Bears odds maker breakdown: Special Teams
In Pittsburgh, the NFL’s toughest place to kick, Jeff Reed and the Steelers usually have the special teams advance. At Soldier Field, the advantage goes to the rock-solid Robbie Gould. Also, Chicago has some guy named Devin Hester in the return game. Ever heard of him?

Betting Edge: Bears

Steelers vs Bears odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
Each team arguably lost its best defensive player in Week 1. It’s tough to say which loss is more devastating – Polamalu’s or Urlacher’s – so we can’t give either team an injury edge.

Betting Edge: Draw

Steelers vs Bears betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Both teams should throw often on Sunday but the Steelers seem more likely to succeed, simply because Big Ben and the receiving corps have an established rapport. The Bears’ offense was out of sync in Week 1 and a matchup against the deadly Pittsburgh “D” comes at the worst possible time. Bet the Steelers to edge Chicago in a tough, close game.

Each team lost a key defensive stopper and with both teams likely to throw a lot, so we may see more scoring than expected. Also, since Big Ben and Jay Cutler take chances, it wouldn’t be shocking to see one or both of them get picked off for a defensive touchdown too. Bet over 37.5 points.

STAN’S PICK: Steelers -3; over the total of 37.5

Keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com for all the best sports betting analysis in the biz. Stan Simmons is one of BetOnline.com's NFL experts.