NFL Odds Week 16: Chicago Bears Favored Against New York Jets
Published by Jack Jones on December 24, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
This Sunday the Chicago Bears will look to move one step closer to securing a first-round bye in the playoffs when they host the New York Jets, who are looking to lock up a wild card spot in the AFC.
The Jets avoided losing three straight with a 22-17 win at Pittsburgh last week and are now 6-1 on the road this season.
The Bears had no trouble taking down the Vikings on Monday Night Football, crushing Minnesota 40-14. Oddsmakers don’t think there is much that separates these two teams this week, as our NFL odds indicate that the Bears are just one-point favorites over the Jets at home.
New York Jets (10-4)
The Jets were able to escape Pittsburgh with a big win last week and now head to Chicago for what figures to be another defensive showdown.
The Jets were able to have success running the ball against the Steelers, as they ran for 106 yards on 27 attempts, and will need that running game to be working against the Bears. Chicago comes in with the third-ranked run defense in the NFL, allowing just under 90 yards a game.
While the Jets would love to be able to just run the ball and let their defense do the work, quarterback Mark Sanchez is going to have to make some plays for them to come out of Chicago with a win.
Sanchez went just 19 of 29 for 170 yards against the Steelers, but most importantly he didn’t turn the ball over, something he had done four times in the previous two games.
Not only will the Jets have to protect the football against a Bears defense that is third in the NFC with 31 takeaways this season, but they have to do whatever they can to keep the ball out of Devin Hester’s hands on kick and punt returns.
He is simply too dangerous and if he scores it’s going to be hard for the Jets to win this game.
Chicago Bears (10-4)
It will be interesting to see how the Bears come out for this game. Chicago has locked up a playoff spot and at worst a first-round home game, but can still get the No. 2 seed if they win this week and win at Green Bay next week.
Chicago got another big game out of quarterback Jay Cutler, who completed 14 of 24 for 194 yards with three touchdowns and just one interception. Cutler will need to be at his best against the Jets this week, as the running game figures to struggle against a Jets defense that is allowing just 93 yards a game.
Most importantly, Cutler has to be smart with the football and let his defense do the work.
The Bears have a lot to prove in this game, as the last time they stepped out in front of their home fans they got embarrassed by the Patriots 36-7. If Chicago struggles against another AFC East team at home again this week, you have to wonder just how much confidence they can have going into their first playoff game at home.
Looking at the Odds
I think the winner of this game will be decided by which quarterback turns the ball over the least and right now I just think Cutler is playing better than Sanchez, so I am taking the Bears to win this game at home.
My final score prediction is Chicago 23, New York 16.
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