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MNF – Seahawks at Bears

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
LAST WEEK

The Seahawks (0-1 SU, 0-0-1 ATS) entered the season opener by losing six consecutive road games in September as Seattle visited Denver. In spite of a grabbing a fourth quarter lead on a Russell Wilson 51-yard touchdown connection with Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks fell short in a 27-24 defeat to the Broncos. Seattle’s defense intercepted Case Keenum three times, but the Broncos outgained the Seahawks from a yardage standpoint, 470-306, while racking up 25 first downs compared to 13 by Seattle.

Seattle also committed three turnovers in the loss as Wilson was picked off twice, while running back Chris Carson lost a fumble in the third quarter. The second Wilson interception came on the final drive deep in Seattle territory, but the Seahawks’ quarterback also threw three touchdown passes, including one to former Broncos’ standout Brandon Marshall. The game sailed OVER the total of 42 ½, while Seattle pushed as a three-point underdog as the Seahawks last won a game in Week 16 of last season following an 0-4 preseason.

The Bears (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) were on their way to an impressive road upset of the Packers last Sunday night by jumping out to a seemingly commanding 20-0 lead at Lambeau Field. It helped Chicago’s cause that Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers exited the game in the second quarter with a knee injury as newly acquired linebacker Khalil Mack returned an interception for a touchdown.

However, Rodgers returned in the third quarter and led Green Bay to an incredible 24-23 comeback victory, capped off by a 75-yard touchdown strike to Randall Cobb late in the fourth quarter. The Bears managed a cover as seven-point underdogs, but left Green Bay with a division loss as quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw for 171 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Chicago has dropped 10 straight division contests dating back to December 2016, while last winning a road game against an NFC North opponent in 2015 at Green Bay.

SEATTLE DUE?

The task for Pete Carroll’s team on Monday night is try to not only pick up their first win of the season, but also halt this seven-game road losing streak in September. The Seahawks started 0-2 on the road last season (and 0-2 overall), but managed to win five of their next six games away from CenturyLink Field, while going 8-4 overall before a late meltdown prevented Seattle from the postseason.

Since Carroll arrived in Seattle back in 2010, the Seahawks have gone 0-2 through two road games twice (2011 and 2015), while the Seahawks are riding an 0-4 ATS streak in the last four Week 2’s dating back to 2014.

LAY THE POINTS AND RUN

In Trubisky’s rookie season, the Bears covered in all four opportunities as a home underdog, including outright victories over the Steelers and Panthers. However, Chicago struggled when laying points by posting a 1-2 SU/ATS record with the only victory coming against the winless Browns in Week 16. Dating back to the start of 2015, the Bears own a dreadful 1-7 SU/ATS mark as a favorite, including six outright losses at Soldier Field.

SERIES HISTORY

These two teams are meeting for the first time since 2015 when the Seahawks crushed the Bears, 26-0 as 16 ½-point favorites at CenturyLink Field. Seattle had started the season 0-2 before picking up that shutout, while limiting Chicago to 146 yards of offense. Wilson hooked up with Jimmy Graham for the only offensive touchdown, while Lockett returned the second half kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown.

Seattle has captured four of the past five matchups with Chicago since 2010, while making its first trip to Soldier Field since 2012. The Seahawks held off the Bears in overtime, 23-17 as three-point underdogs in December 2012, as the last four meetings in Chicago have sailed OVER the total.

MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

The Seahawks have appeared on Monday night football once in each of the past seven seasons. Seattle has compiled a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS mark in this stretch, while making its first road appearance on a Monday night since 2014 in a 10-point victory at Washington.

The Bears have split their last six Monday night contests since 2014, but interestingly enough have gone 1-3 at home in this stretch. Chicago was squeezed by Minnesota in the final seconds last season, 20-17 at Soldier Field in Trubisky’s first start, but the Bears barely covered as 3 ½-point underdogs.

HANDICAPPER’S CORNER

NFL expert Joe Nelson checks in with his thoughts on Seattle’s performance at Denver, “There were some positives for a Seahawks team with perhaps the most grounded expectations entering Carroll’s ninth season. Earl Thomas returned in time for the game and made an impact with an interception as a veteran leader on a defense that has lost many key players the past two years. Wilson nearly willed Seattle to a win by himself as the Seahawks had three late possessions down three late in the game and lost by just three despite running 17 fewer offensive plays.”

On the flip side, Nelson looks at Chicago’s late meltdown at Green Bay, “Trubisky took four sacks and gained just 4.9 yards per pass, but he had only one turnover and that was in a desperation fourth down play at the end of the game. The running game produced 5.1 yards per carry as the offense could be improved for Chicago after scoring just 16.5 points per game last season as Matt Nagy’s offensive background could pay dividends over time now in his second game as head coach.”

LINE MOVEMENT

This line stayed pretty steady through most of the week since the Bears opened up as three-point favorites last Sunday night. However, Chicago is currently a 4 ½-point favorite at most books, while other books that have the Bears at -5. The total opened at 43 ½, but has slightly moved to 43 at many outlets.

You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com

Kevin Rogers can be followed on Twitter at virogers.

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