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Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears NFL Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

browns-bears-102809 The Cleveland Browns head to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field this Sunday in a Week 8 non-conference clash. Last week was one that each of these teams would like to forget. The Browns were crushed 31-3 by Green Bay and the Bears were destroyed 45-10 by Cincinnati. These two teams will be meeting for the first time since the 2005 season when the Browns defeated the Bears 20-10. The Browns have won three of the last four meetings and own a commanding 9-4 advantage in the all-time series, but NFL odds makers have Chicago gaining a little ground this week, listing the Bears as 13-point favorites with the total set at 40.

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The Bears are sitting at 3-3 and they certainly have some things to figure out on both sides of the football if they are going to make a run at the playoffs. Offensively, I believe the Bears are better off with Jay Cutler, but he isn’t getting enough help from the running game to really open things up down the field. Last season, running back Matt Forte did it all for the Bears, but he has just 318 yards rushing so far this season. Forte needs a breakout game and it just might come this week against the Browns’ 31st ranked run defense.

QB Jay Cutler could be poised for a big game also as he has been at his best at Soldier Field. In two home games, Cutler has four touchdowns and zero interceptions. In four road games, he has seven touchdown strikes and 10 interceptions. Cutler is also continuing to build chemistry with the receiving corps. Rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox now has four touchdowns on the season (tied-1st among all rookies) and Greg Olsen has caught a TD pass in three of Chicago’s last four games. I expect Cutler to Olsen to be a lethal combo before the season is through. It is also worth noting that the Browns are 1-5 against the number in their last six games as a road underdog of 10.5 or more points. If you like Chicago to crush the Browns at home, bet the Bears at -13 at BetUS.

The Browns did not fare well against the NFC North’s Green Bay Packers last week, but perhaps they will have better luck against a Bears team that was dominated by the AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals, a team the Browns took to overtime in Week 4. Chicago’s defense has not been consistent and perhaps Cleveland QB Derek Anderson, who has 10 touchdowns in his last eight games versus the NFC, will be able to take advantage.

The most important thing for the 1-6 Browns at this point is to not lose heart. They were embarrassed in front of their home crowd last week, but it’s a new week and they must come to play. The responsibility falls on veterans like running back Jamal Lewis and linebacker Eric Barton to keep the young guys focused. With a Week 9 bye scheduled, the Browns have no reason to hold anything back Sunday. It is worth noting that the Browns are 6-2-1 ATS in pre-bye week games since 2001. If you think odds makers are spotting Cleveland too many points, bet the Browns at +13 at BetUS.

Two week’s ago, Jimmy nailed his 5* NFL Underdog Shocker of the Year on the Texans outright over the Bengals. Last week, he cashed in big with his 5* NFL Favorite of the Year on the Cowboys in a rout over the Falcons. Don’t miss this week’s big 5* Top Play in Jimmy’s NFL expert picks package!

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