Bears Blitz

Published by OddsShark.com on October 7, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears are both riding two-game losing streaks into their NFC battle Sunday at the Georgia Dome. Can Atlanta get enough out of its defense to stop the Chicago offense? Or can the Bears simply outscore the Falcons?

Point spread: Falcons opened as three-point favorites; the total was 53.5 (line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 27.8-23.6 Falcons

Why the Bears can cover the spread

The Bears have lost two straight after blowing a 21-7 lead and losing at Carolina last week 31-24. Chicago outgained its last two opponents, but big plays and turnovers have cost the Bears chances at victories. Chicago led Green Bay two weeks ago late into the second quarter and later had a shot to tie the score in the third, but a fluke Jay Cutler interception turned that game totally around.

And last week, Chicago owned a halftime lead but was stymied in the second half. The Bears can move the ball and score points; if they can just avoid the turnovers, and get some help on defense, they’ll have a shot in this one.

Why the Falcons can cover the spread

The Falcons have already gone through some ups and downs this season, and at the moment, they’re due for an “up.” They opened with an emotional win over rival New Orleans, lost at Cincinnati, clobbered Tampa Bay but have lost twice since then, most recently last week at the Giants, 30-20. Atlanta led New York 20-10 midway through the third quarter but went dry from there.

The Falcons rank third in the league in both total offense, averaging 435 yards per game, and in scoring at 30 points per game. So this team can go up and down the field with almost anyone.

Smart Pick

Chicago has shown it can win on the road, with victories earlier this season at San Francisco and at the Jets. But the Bears defense is terrible.

Atlanta, meanwhile, is an enigma; it can put up 37 points on the Saints and drop 56 on the Bucs but can’t beat Minnesota with its rookie quarterback and goes scoreless over the last 20 minutes against the Giants.

This contest is an absolute toss-up, but with these two offenses going against these two defenses, within the sterile confines of the Georgia Dome, the over seems like a good bet.

Trends

• The total has gone under in five of Chicago’s last five games when playing on the road against Atlanta.
• The total has gone under in seven of Atlanta’s last eight games when playing Chicago.

All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.

Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com