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Expert Picks
This spread isn't getting below 7, so let's grab it before it gets back to 7.5. Can the Bears stay within a touchdown? Sure. Closer than that? I doubt it. Rookie QBs are 0-4 ATS in their first starts this season as the Justin Fields Era begins, ironically, in Ohio State country. One of Chicago's best defensive players, Akiem Hicks, is in question. Maybe Matt Nagy can learn something about offensive play-calling from Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski ... I say that as a tired-of-the-same-crap Bears fan. The Browns, who won't have Jarvis Landry but will have Odell Beckham Jr., probably win by at least 10.
The Bears offense looked pretty terrible against the Bengals, even if it wasn't all Justin Fields' fault. Yet this line moved heavily toward Chicago off the lookahead, even though Fields' first start will come against a defense we were very high on entering the year. The Browns got off to a sleepy start against Houston but eventually got it together, and if we think they're around as good as the Rams, who were bigger favorites in this same matchup and covered easily, aren't we getting good value with Cleveland? I think this line should be 8.5 so I'm happy to take the favorite now that it means laying just a TD.
A great matchup for the Browns with even better timing. After a tough loss to Kansas City in Week 1 and the mental hangover follow-up against Houston Sunday, this sets up for a focused game from Cleveland on both sides of the ball. Couple that with the QB situation for Chicago and, while Justin Fields will be great one day, there are still many issues offensively to work out, not to mention he won't run all over this defense either. Will have to do it in the pocket. Lastly, Chicago hasn't covered as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points in three years (0-5).