NFL Playoff Wagering Odds, Predictions & Picks: Chicago Bears Vs. New Orleans Saints
After squeezing into the playoffs with a .500 record, the Bears (8-8 SU, 8-8 ATS) will head out to New Orleans to take on the Saints (12-4 SU, 9-6-1 ATS) as the only double-digit underdogs of the wild-card round. This will be only the second NFL playoff wagering appearance for Chicago since 2010, while New Orleans is a part of the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. The two teams already met in Week 8, with the New Orleans Saints edging the overtime thriller by an online football betting field goal.
Chicago Bears Vs. New Orleans Saints NFL Playoff Wagering Line Movement
Initial NFL playoff wagering odds favored New Orleans by -8 but some early action pushed this line to -10. The total remained mostly stable during the week, slightly dropping by an online football betting point to 47 where it stands at the moment.
Notes On The Chicago Bears
The Bears finished the season playing the best football we’ve seen from them all year. The reinsertion of QB Mitchell Trubisky into the starting lineup in the place of Nick Foles proved to be a good move with Chicago finishing strong and winning three out last four games. In addition, the defense, led by Khalil Mack, finally showed some of the last season’s form. Over the whole campaign, the Bears have allowed 23.2 points per contest, ranking in the top half both against the run and against the pass. However, the defensive unit may be seriously weakened on Sunday as Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson are both listed as questionable.
After some solid displays near the end of the season, Trubisky failed to throw for a single touchdown in a crucial Week 17 game against the Packers. It’s difficult to see him being fantasy relevant against the solid New Orleans defense on Sunday. WR Allen Robinson was also poor in the final week, but is still the primary receiving option and is coming off an impressive regular season. In the previous New Orleans matchup, Robinson posted the 6/87/1 line. RB David Montgomery is perhaps the best pick out of Chicago. He’s on a five-game scoring streak and dominates the carries for Chicago every week.
Notes On The New Orleans Saints
The Saints are coming off an excellent season and have won eleven out of the last 13 games, but are going to the Chicago matchup with question marks over some of the most important players. Running back Alvin Kamara is still in the Covid-19 protocol but could be eligible to play if he gets the medical clearance on time. Star receiver Michael Thomas is returning from an injury and Drew Brees just came back after missing a good part of the season. Brees and Thomas have played only 10 quarters of football together this year. With so many key offensive players missing games this campaign, it was the defense that often kept the Saints alive. New Orleans ranks fifth in the league with only 21.1 points allowed per game.
The wild card game may be the first one for Drew Brees this season with all of his weapons available and we could see him having a good game against Chicago’s depleted defense. In the Week 8 matchup, Brees threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears are allowing almost 115 rushing yards per contest and, if cleared to play, Alvin Kamara could be in for a big game. In case he doesn’t make it, you should be all over Latavius Murray.
NFL Playoff Wagering Prediction And Betting Pick: New Orleans Saints -10
Ten points is a huge spread for a regular-season NFL playoff wagering game, let alone the playoffs. Still, the Saints outmatch their Sunday rivals on both online football betting sides of the ball, and with some key defensive players absent for the Bears, we can see New Orleans winning comfortably.
