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Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

After going down to division rival Minnesota last week, the Bears are sitting at 6-6 and have very little margin for error if they are going to make a playoff run. A home date against the underachieving Jaguars should help Chicago’s chances. The Jags will be playing to avoid its first four game losing streak in the last five years. Odds makers have sided with the Bears, listing them as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 40.5.

The Bears have a favorable schedule over the last month of the season, playing its next three games at Soldier Field. The Bears will need to take advantage. The Bears gave up first place of the NFC North with a 34-14 loss at Minnesota last Sunday night. Chicago entered tied with the Vikings atop the North with the chance to take a one-game lead, which would have essentially been a two-game lead with a season sweep of Minnesota, but left the Metrodome a game back in the standings. The Bears may have received a break as the Vikings may be without All-Pro defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams for the final four games for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. Despite what happens with Minnesota, the Bears need to handle their own business and that starts with Kyle Orton and the offense to returning to form. Chicago was one of the highest teams in the NFL at the halfway point, averaging 27.9 points per game. But it has been held to 14 points or less in three of its last four contests. It all changed with QB Kyle Orton’s right ankle injury on November 2nd. He has not been the same since. He sat out the following week against Tennessee and has thrown for just 418 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions with a 61.2 quarterback rating in three games since returning. He threw for 903 yards, five TDs, no picks and had a 106.2 passer rating in three games before the injury. If you like Chicago to get back on track this week, bet the Bears at -6.5 at Bookmaker.

Defense was the pride and joy of the Jags a season ago. Oh what a difference a year can make. Jacksonville has allowed 84 points during its recent three game skid and will be facing a hungry Bears team on its cold home turf this week. Expectations were sky high for Jacksonville, following an 11-5 regular season and a win over Pittsburgh in the AFC wild card game last year. The Jags are currently last in the AFC South and have been nothing short of one of the league’s biggest disappointments. The Jags were beat 30-17 last Monday night against division rival Houston. It was an all out rout as two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach made things look a little better than they actually were. Jacksonville has lost four of five, and is trying to avoid dropping four straight for the first time since September 7-28 of 2003. It’s been the same story all season long for the Jags. When they have been able to run the football they have been successful. In other words, they haven’t been able to run the football much this season. Maurice Jones-Drew was held to just 49 yards on 12 totes last week and has rushed for just 119 yards on 32 attempts during the losing streak. It does not look much better this week as the Bears boast the league’s sixth-best run defense, allowing only 88.8 yards per game on the ground. The Jags could catch a break, however, as Chicago’s run defense has been suspect of late. It has alternated good and poor performances over its last four games. The Bears have allowed 189.0 yards on the ground in their two disappointing outings, but just 17.0 yards in the other two games in that stretch. If you think the Jacksonville can bounce back this week, bet the Jaguars at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash sign up bonus.

Beating the NFL odds is a cinch with Jimmy Boyd’s NFL expert picks. Do you NFL betting with Jimmy Boyd this week and pad your pocketbook guaranteed!

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