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Sunday Night Football Picks: Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Chargers

by Mike Allen - 10/26/2023

Sunday Night Football picks Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Chargers Austin Ekeler

As we prepare for the 8th Sunday of the NFL regular season, the horizon is still a bit out of focus.

It was supposed to be a big year for the Los Angeles Chargers, but this team continues to struggle. At the beginning of the season, LA looked bad, particularly on defense, but they did have several injuries in some key positions.

So, they got healthier, and got their dual-threat guy, Austin Ekeler, back on the field, only to have quarterback Justin Herbert play what some experts are saying is the worst football of his career.

Don't get me started on their head coach. The look on Brandon Staley's face sometimes says it all. I just think it is a little too much for him at this point in his career.

We are hearing that he could be on the hot seat as early as right now. If they can't get by the Chicago Bears at home, we may see a new face as the LA Chargers head coach.

In Chicago, expectations weren’t quite as high as they were for the Chargers on the West Coast. Like LA, the Bears also got off to a slow start. Chicago has won two of their last three games. However, unfortunately, their quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful to play with a thumb injury.

This is why we are seeing the Chargers as such big favorites.

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Bears vs Chargers Betting Odds

Point Spread

Bears: +9 (-105)

Chargers: -9 (-115)

I didn't think the sharps would be on the Chargers in this game until I read the news on Fields. It looks like three-fourths of the money that has come in has been on Los Angeles. This betting line is (-8.5) for LA in some books. So, if we like a side, we have the option to shop around for the best price.

The Bears have looked a lot better lately, but it has been against the Washington Commanders and the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. Well, the Bears are 2-0 against teams with a head coach on the hot seat.

Can they make it 3-0 against the Chargers and push this phony, Staley, back to a coordinator position?

Moneyline

Bears: +345

Chargers: -425

There is no planet in the Milky Way where I would bet the one-dimensional LA Chargers to win at more than 4-1.

What about the Bears? My brain says to obviously take the 9 points you’re getting from the books. You have to remember, however, that to get the same profit you would from one win at (+345), you would need to go 5-1 betting on odds of (-110).

I am not encouraging you to hunt down or chase betting odds like that every week. They are difficult to hit, but so is going 5-1 on virtual coin flips.

Point Total

Over 46 (-110)

Under 46 (-110)

The Chicago Bears defense has been undercover awesome over the last three weeks. Following their close defeat to the Denver Broncos, even the Bears' pass defense is ranked towards the top of the NFL.

Their secondary is weak, however, and Herbert is a better player than we have seen lately. While I project him to refocus and play better, he is also battling a broken finger. The word out of Chargers' practice, though, is that the finger is improving. If it was a sprain, that might not be the case.

LA will have to pass the ball to establish the run. It's unclear whether they will be able to do that. It has been a struggle so far this season.

Bears vs Chargers Analysis

We need to answer a question before we break down the statistics for this game. Are the LA Chargers’ players behind their head coach?

In a locker room interview following their embarrassing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Ekeler was asked how the team felt about playing under Staley. He responded immediately, with "We don't have a choice".

The Chargers arguably have the worst defense in the NFL with arguably the most talent. Their head coach is a former defensive coordinator, and the players don't believe in him.

They have Kellen Moore waiting in the wings.

Bears vs Chargers Prediction

The Bears' defense, even their pass defense, has been much better over their previous three games. The competition has been low, but they could very easily have won 4 in a row.

Their defense is probably the most underrated in the NFL. Couple that with an injured quarterback, and I think we are going under the total of 46.

Prediction: Under 46

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