Bears Blitz

Published by Scott Ottersen on October 2, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The “spread” for the Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions matchup this Sunday is listed at Bears -10.

For those of you who don’t follow the ways of gambling, that means the Bears are favored to win the game by 10 points.

Seems fair enough against the paltry Lions, right?

Well, if history has a say in the game on Sunday, it would be wise to take the Lions at +10.

In the last seven games, the Bears are 1-6 against the spread when facing the Lions.  And, the only win was the fluke 34-7 victory last season in Detroit.  The only reason I call it a fluke is because the Bears just weren’t the type of offense to put up 34 points, and in fact had a defensive touchdown in the game to boot. 

Not to mention some fluke, long plays that the Bears were not known for.

But, that is in the past, and we need not worry about that.  Or should we?

On the flip side, the Lions are 6-3 against the spread in the last nine games versus the Bears.

And, with the spread being 10 points, the past would have us think it is going to be a close game, with either the Bears winning by less than 10 points, or the Lions winning by any amount of points.

Everyone says that this is a new Bears team, so we are going to wipe the slate clean and see if Jay Cutler and Co. can buck the trend and put the Bears on the winning side in the world of gambling.

In examination of the two teams, one would wonder how exactly the game would be close, but all it takes is one missed assignment on defense and the opposing team will be celebrating in the end zone.

You can never be too sure about yourself in the world of sports, because the players you are going up against are still professionals and can make plays all the same.

With the news that Kevin Smith may play, and Calvin Johnson always being a threat to break a big play, a close game is not all that crazy of a thought.

The Bears have not shown any explosiveness on offense, outside of a play here and there, so this game does not have shoot out written all over it.  If anything, we might be dink and dunked to death like the old days.

And with the Bears’ running game still not up to speed, the Lions may actually be ready for the passing attack, which hasn’t been anything to write home about, either.

So, will history repeat itself on Sunday and have the Chicago Bears losing against the spread? Or will the “new and improved” offense start playing the way they were touted as to play and blow the Lions out?

If I were a gambling man, I would go with history and say the Bears win the game, but not by more than 10.

In fact, I say they “push,” and win the game 27-17.

But, hey, a win is a win, and I would love to see the Bears go into their bye week with a 3-1 record.

Go Bears.

Oh, and I hate to say it, but Go Packers.  It hurts for that to come out of my “mouth,” but I do not want to see the Vikings go to 4-0, with St. Louis to play next week. 

I hope to exit Week Four in a tie for first place in the NFC North.

Again, Go Bears!

Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com