The Chicago Bears travel across the ocean to take on the Oakland Raiders in London, England. The status of their starting quarterback is up in the air, but does it really matter when their defense is this dominant? Fans expecting a high-scoring game might be sorely disappointed.
- Chicago Bears vs Oakland Raiders (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: October 6, 1 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: FOX
- Sportsbook Odds: Chicago -5.5 | O/U 41.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The line opened with the Bears as 5.5-point favorites, as their defense looks as good as advertised, and while technically a road game, it’s actually a neutral field in England. With Chicago likely starting backup Chase Daniel, lots of points aren’t expected as the total opened at 41.5.
Chicago News & Notes
The Bears faced yet another big test in Week 4 against divisional rival Minnesota. To make things even more challenging, starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky went down early with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, putting the game in backup Chase Daniel’s hands.
Daniel filled in admirably, but the heavy lifting was done by the Bears defense. Despite missing Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith, Chicago absolutely shut down the Vikings’ vaunted running game and wreaked havoc around Kirk Cousins en route to a 16-6 victory.
The extent of Trubisky’s injury is yet to be determined, but head coach Matt Nagy has only described it as “not season-ending.” That means Daniel is likely to start in London, but with the defense living up to its Monsters of the Midway billing, if he can repeat his Week 4 line (22/30, 195 yards, 1 TD, zero turnovers), the Bears will likely build upon their current string of going 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after an ATS win.
Oakland News & Notes
Just when you start to write this Oakland team off, following humiliating losses to Kansas City and Minnesota, they go and earn a tough road win against a gritty Indianapolis squad.
The Raiders offense got off to a fast start, scoring touchdowns on three of its first four drives. They fended off a furious Colts comeback, highlighted by a game-sealing pick-six with about two minutes left to secure a 34-27 victory.
While only logging three catches for 36 yards, Tyrell Williams did catch a touchdown pass, giving him a score in every game. They’re going to need another score, and likely more, out of their top receiver against a Bears defense that is allowing the fifth-fewest yards per game and the second-fewest points per game.
Oakland will also have to continue on without veteran linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who was ejected for a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit last week and has been suspended for the remainder of the season. It’s a big blow that won’t help a Raiders team that is 1-4 ATS in its last five games against Chicago.
Betting Pick: UNDER 41.5
Chicago is starting either a backup quarterback or a wounded QB, and I don’t see Oakland scoring on that defense. I’ll take the UNDER.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Raiders’ last 9 games vs the NFC.
- The Raiders are 2-6 SU and 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games before a bye.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the Bears’ last 9 games (avg. combined score: 29.0).
