Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens Line
The 5-8 Chicago Bears look to spoil the playoff hopes of the 7-6 Baltimore Ravens when the two teams meet in Baltimore for a Week 15 non-conference clash. Last week, Chicago fell 21-14 to Green Bay for its fifth loss in six games while the Ravens boosted their playoff chances with a 48-3 blowout over Detroit. These two teams have not met since the 2005 season when the Bears won 10-6 in a defensive battle. These teams have just met three times with the Bears taking two of those meetings, but NFL odds makers expect Baltimore to even the score, listing the Ravens as an 11-point favorite with the total set at 40.
Former Rutgers star Ray Rice is quickly turning into an NFL star in just his second season. The Ravens running back has rushed for 1041 yards and seven touchdowns this season on 5.4 yards per carry. He has also been a valuable receiver with 68 grabs for another 652 yards and a score. In fact, only the Titans’ Chris Johnson is averaging more yards from scrimmage per game this season. Rice is coming off a huge 166-yard performance against Detroit, and he will be looking to tear up the Bears’ 24th-ranked run defense Sunday.
We’ll see if one of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL, Ray Lewis, still has it this week. While the Bears haven’t been effective in running the football this season, they have shown that they are going to run the ball up inside in recent weeks in hopes of setting up more play action opportunities. They have also mixed in quick wide receiver screens to try to move chains throughout the season. Much of what Chicago’s offense likes to do puts pressure on opposing linebackers. If Ray Lewis can have a good game, it will go a long way toward earning a win for his team. It is worth noting that the Ravens are on a 10-1 ATS run versus teams with losing records.
Coach Love Smith has done plenty of good things for this Chicago Bears franchise, with getting them to the Super Bowl highest on the list, but in a business of what have you done for me lately, his days in Chicago could be numbered. With a loss Sunday, Smith would endure his third non-winning campaign in six seasons as head man.
I can tell you this right now. For Chicago to have a chance Sunday, it is going to have to do a good job of protecting QB Jay Cutler. Chicago’s offensive line just hasn’t gotten the job done this season. Cutler has been sacked 29 times, and the unit hasn’t been able to open many holes for Matt Forte in the running game. While some of Cutler’s league-high 22 interceptions have flat out been awful throws, the offensive line can take the blame for some as well. Much of what Cutler has done this season has all been under pressure. The Bears must keep the blitzing Ravens’ defense out of Cutler’s face Sunday.
One thing I noticed in last week’s game is the chemistry that Cutler is developing with rookie wideout Johnny Knox. Knox is among the league leaders in receptions for a rookie with 41 catches and he gives Chicago a quality vertical threat who Cutler obviously trusts. Knox may just have to come up with a few big plays for Chicago to pull off the upset. It is worth noting that the Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road underdog of 10.5 or more points.
