It seems like we waited for an eternity for the NFL season to begin and we’re about to close out the first week of the regular season. Before we do that though, let’s finish off the first Sunday of play with a rematch of Super Bowl XLI.
The oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants have made the Colts 9 ½-point home favorites in the regular season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium. Meanwhile the total has held steady at 44 for the past few days after opening at 45 back in May.
Despite such a high line, bettors are taking a shot for the upset as the Bears are listed plus 425 (risk $100 to win $425) on the money line. Not a bad return on investment, but what could 46 percent of the folks wagering at Sportsbook.com on the outright shocker be thinking?
Maybe they’re under the impression that Indianapolis’ field general, Peyton Manning, isn’t at full strength after his knee injury during the offseason. It’s a fair assumption to make seeing as he has never been injured to this degree in his 10 years in the league. Yet Manning has completed 67 percent of his passes for 513 yards and six touchdowns in two career starts against Chicago.
What will be more pressing for the Colts and their backers is how the offensive line will fare this week. That’s because of All-Pro center Jeff Saturday will be “out” for six weeks with a bad right knee. Normally that is not a big deal since they’d just move Mike Pollak over from the guard position and plunk him at center. The problem with that now is Pollak is also “out” with a bad knee.
These injuries mean the remainder of the o-line must shore up against a Chicago defense that had 41 sacks. It also means running back Joseph Addai will have to be on his toes when facing a unit that looks to improve on giving up 122.9 yards per game on the ground in 2007.
Now it’s not all questions marks for the Colts alone. No sir, the Bears have their own issues…particularly under center.
Chicago will be sending out Kyle Orton once again to lead the offensive attack. The former Purdue standout is 12-6 as a starter in the Windy City. What Bears head coach Lovie Smith will be expecting out of him is to not make mistakes.
Sounds simple enough, but Orton hasn’t been solid on the road for his career as we can see in his connecting on just 53 percent of his passes for 1,203 yards with four scores and five picks. He’s also coughed up the ball eight times, losing three of them when playing away from Soldier Field.
Orton’s issues will be complicated by a speedy Indy defense. Of particular interest to the Bears’ faithful will be how well can Dwight Freeney be contained on the edge, while keeping Bob Sanders led secondary out of the game.
Gamblers appear to be taking the ‘under’ to come through on this match given the movement we’ve seen thus far. Recent history between these clubs contradicts the public’s thinking as the ‘over’ has hit in the last three regular season tilts between these two franchises.
Don’t be shocked to see Indianapolis come through big here as it is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 home openers.
NBC will be broadcasting this contest nationally at 8:00 pm EDT.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
