NFL Odds: Chicago Bills Favored by Three Over Buffalo in Canada
Published by Jack Jones on November 5, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
This Sunday the Buffalo Bills will continue to try and get that first win of the season when they take on the struggling Chicago Bears. The game won’t be played in either teams’ home stadium, instead the game will take place at Rogers Cenre, in Toronto, Ontario.
For the second week in a row the Bills looked like they were headed for their first win, but wound up losing in overtime, this time 13-10 at Kansas City. The Bears had their bye last week, but have lost two straight, and three of their last four after starting the season 3-0.
If you are thinking about betting on the game this weekend, the current NFL odds have Bears favored by three points over the Bills at home.
Chicago (4-3)
The Bears are really struggling offensively right now, and I believe the blame starts with the play calling. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw four interceptions to DeAngelo Hall of the Redskins last week, and was sacked four times, pushing his season total to a league-leading 27.
While the offensive line hasn’t helped matters, the Bears aren’t running the football and just simply allowing defenses to load up on the blitz.
The Bears have stressed that they want to get the running game going, and with a week to prepare for the Bills, you have to think Chicago is going to run early and often against a Bills defense that was torched for 274 yards last week by the Chiefs. Unless the Bears get down big early, there is no reason for them to attempt more passes than runs in this game, especially with how the defense is playing.
Chicago ranks sixth in the NFL in total defense, allowing just under 306 yards of total offense a game, and are tied for fifth with 17 takeaways. The Bills offense scored just 10 points last week, and if Chicago doesn’t turn it over and give them good field position, they shouldn’t score much more than that this week.
Buffalo (0-7)
The Bills can’t get any closer than they have been in the last two weeks, but this team embraces what a winless team is all about. Buffalo had numerous chances to win the game last week, but instead of finding ways to win, they found ways to lose.
There is no question that the offense has been more effective with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, and he looked great at times last week, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown, but had a terrible throw that was picked off late in regulation, and had a couple other easy interceptions dropped by the Chiefs.
Fitzpatrick can’t afford to make any mistakes this week against a stingy Bears defense, or the Bills will likely be headed home with their eighth straight loss.
Last week was the first time the Bills held an opponent under 34 points since opening week when they loss 15-10 to Miami. The Chiefs helped the Bills out, going just four of 15 on third down conversions, as this game could have been a lot worse than the final score indicates.
Looking at the Odds
While the Bears seem to be getting worse, and the Bills getting better, I still think your money has to be on the Bears in this game. While the Bills are listed as the home team, that won’t mean anything when it comes down to the game being played in Toronto.
I look for Chicago to run the ball and you can never forget the importance of a team coming off a bye week like the Bears. They will be well prepared for the Bills and offensively if they go to the run, they should have some success.
My final score prediction is Chicago 24, Buffalo 17.
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