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