Redskins vs. Bears Pick
With their playoff lives in the balance, will the Washington Redskins have a motivated effort on the road against the Chicago Bears on Saturday at 1PM ET?
According to the oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Redskins are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -3 points against the Bears. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 46.5 points. Washington has won six straight in this series and covered the spread in the last four meetings with the Bears.
Washington is coming off a surprising 26-15 loss to Carolina at home on Monday night to fall to 7-6-1 on the season and on the outside looking in of the NFC playoff picture. Washington will likely have to win out to have a chance. Washington is 9-5 against the spread this year, but has failed to cover in two of its last three games. Washington still has a strong offense that is averaging 24.6 points and 417.2 yards per game. They also average 313 passing yards per game as Kirk Cousins has thrown for 4,360 yards and 23 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He has spread the ball out nicely, with three receivers over 800 yards on the year. Defensively, Washington is giving up 24.5 points and 392.5 yards per game. The defensive leader Ryan Kerrigan, who has 11 sacks, is questionable to play with an elbow injury that kept him out of Monday night’s game.
Chicago had a chance to play spoiler for the Packers last week but, lost 30-27 at home thanks to a last-second FG by Green Bay. The loss dropped Chicago to 3-11 on the year. However, the Bears have covered in five straight and are now 7-7 against the spread for the season. Chicago’s offense is averaging just 17.7 points per game this year as they have battled numerous injuries. Rookie Matt Barkley has looked respectable at QB, throwing for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns with seven interceptions in his few games of action. Jordan Howard has been the leader of the unit with 1,059 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, the Bears aren’t a bad unit. They give up 22.9 points per game, but allow only 351.9 yards per game. Their pass defense is among the better groups in the league, allowing only 236.3 yards per game in the air. They also have a steady pass rush, racking up 37 sacks as a team in 2016.
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Chicago doesn’t appear ready to lay down for anyone. They gave the Lions a scare two weeks ago and did the same to the Packers last week. While I expect Washington to come ready to play, the Bears seem to be playing for pride and I think they will give the Skins all they can handle on Saturday. Washington had a shorter week and will be on the road. I like the Bears to cover as a home underdog.
NFL WEEK 16 PICK: CHICAGO BEARS +3