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Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Week 1 NFL Prediction
Betting Line: Bears -7 O/U 43.5
9/12/10
By
John J. Raspanti
The young Lions seem to be improving. Starting quarterback Matt Stafford begins
his 2nd full season in the NFL. He showed enough flashes of ability last year to
raise hopes. Calvin Johnson is the number one receiver for the Lions but so
called number two Nate Burelson caught 63 passes last year. Running back Jahvid
Best is young, elusive and speedy. Look for Best to do well all season. The
Lions also have another pair of young legs in Kevin Smith. Tight end Tony
Scheffler should also be able to find some open spots in the field for Stafford.
The Bears are another team with a big question mark planted right on top of
them. They have a young talented quarterback in Jay Cutler...but Cutler must
stop throwing costly interceptions.
Running back Matt Forte was super his first
year, but average his second. Devin Hester has still not proven he's a number
one receiver. Cutler has 2nd year man Johnny Knox to throw too...and tight end
Greg Olsen. Forte is sure handed out of the backfield as is his backup Chester
Taylor. Forte should have a bounce back year which should help Cutler immensely.
Devin Aromashodu came on strong at the end of last season and his success should
continue.
The Lions defense gave up over 400 points last season. To their credit they
addressed this problem by drafting defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and picking up
in trades tackle Corey Williams, cornerback Chris Houston and defensive end Kyle
Vanden Bosch. Despite these improvements the Lions linebackers are still lacking
as is their secondary. Middle linebacker Jordon Dizon is out for the season and
DeAndre Levy has been injured most of training camp leaving the Lions
scrambling.
The Bears went out and signed DE Julius Peppers to a mega contract. If Peppers
lives up to expectations, he should be able to take pressure off the Bears
secondary. Tommy Harris is being asked to perform again...and with Harris you
just don't know. There are concerns about Brian Urlacher's health as lately he
seems to be spending more time on the sidelines then on the field. Lance Briggs
continues to play extremely well along with cornerback Charles Tillman who like
Urlacher has been injury prone.
This is a big "who knows game". The Bears looked horrible in the preseason while
Lions appeared much improved. All in all we like the direction the Lions are
headed. They are gradually putting the pieces of the puzzle together. They have
some big names on offense and have done their best to fill holes on the defense.
The Bears on the other hand, may be headed the opposite direction. Even former
Bears great Gayle Sayers says his beloved Bears are in for a long year. He
should know! Currently the line is -6.5 just at about all
sportsbooks. at +7 we'd bite with the Lions. May even consider buying the
hook. Lions +7
BETTING TRENDS
DETROIT
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 2-7-2 ATS in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Detroit's last 20 games on the road
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Chicago
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road
against Chicago
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
CHICAGO
Chicago is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Chicago is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing Detroit
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home
against Detroit
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit