Baltimore Ravens Double Digit Favorites Over Visiting Chicago Bears

NFL News - December 15th, 2009 - Written by Bryan

Not a lot went wrong for the Baltimore Ravens last week in a 48-3 victory over the Detroit Lions as the Ravens collected a much needed victory. The same cannot be said for the Ravens' opponent this Sunday, the Chicago Bears. The Bears continued their theme of underachievement this season in a loss to Green Bay 21-14 this past Sunday.

Odd makers really like Baltimore this week as they have installed the Ravens as a 10 point favorite to beat the Bears at home. Other NFL Betting Lines indicate the over/under is currently set at 40.5 points.

Against the Lions this past Sunday, the Balitmore offense was able to execute their game plan at will on a Lions defense.

Ravens running back Ray Rice rushed for a career-high 166 yards, including a 59 yard touchdown.

Back up running back Willis McGahee even got in the act as he added 76 yards rushing on 12 carries. He also took two touchdowns.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was an efficient player, completing 13 of 20 for 230 yards and one touchdown. Flacco did not need to beat the Lions throwing to win the game. The Ravens offensive line completely dominated the line of scrimmage, allowing Rice and McGahee to break through to the second tier of the Detroit defense.

Baltimore will be looking to execute the same type of game plan this week when Chicago comes to town.

The Ravens will try to establish Rice and McGahee to open up the pass game. The Ravens are a much better team when the game is not put on Flacco's shoulders to win with his arm. Establishing the rushing attack opens up both facets of the offense.

The sophomore quarterback has not been as flashy as he was last year during his rookie campaign, but Flacco still possesses the arm to make any throw necessary.

On the other side line, Chicago's play off hopes expired a couple of weeks ago. The loss to Green Bay last Sunday only added insult to injury as quarterback Jay Cutler continued with his interception problems, throwing two against the Packers.

On the season Cutler has 22 interceptions which leads the entire NFL; not what Chicago had in mind when they traded for him at the beginning of the season.

Bears' running back Matt Forte has also been disappointing this season, rushing for only 685 yards this season and four touchdowns.

The offensive struggles have put the Bears defense in some difficult positions throughout the course of games this season, and it has cost Chicago.

The Bears will be playing for pride, or respect, or whatever it may be on Sunday, but it won't be for the playoffs - not this year.

NFL betting trends indicate that Baltimore is 10-1 ATS versus a team with a losing record; Chicago is 5-8.

For Chicago, the under is 5-0 in their last 5 contests overall.