CHICAGO, IL (The Spread) – Despite employing one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL, the Bears are turning back to their former starter for Sunday’s game versus the Browns.
In seven games this season, Josh McCown has thrown for 1,809 yards with 13 touchdowns to just one interception but according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, he’ll head back to the bench for Sunday’s game versus Cleveland. That’s because Jay Cutler has been named the Bears’ Week 15 starter after practicing in full on Thursday.
Cutler has played well this season but has only attempted 48 passes since October 10th before he suffered groin and ankle injuries. In his absence, McCown averaged 352 yards over his past three starts, although the Bears lost two of those three games before crushing the Cowboys on Monday night. Cutler returns to an offense that has been firing on all cylinders, especially since second-year pro Alshon Jeffery has taken flight. (Jeffery has caught 75 passes for 1,193 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games this season.)
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Bears are now 1-point road favorites versus the Browns on Sunday. The total for that game is currently sitting at 44.5 points as Chicago enters play with a 7-6 record and Cleveland is 4-9 on the season. The Bears are currently in a tie with the Lions for first place in the NFC North, although they’ll lose the tiebreaker because Detroit beat Chicago twice this season.
The Bears are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games versus a team with a losing record and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games. They’re also 2-7 ATS in their last nine games in December, 0-6 ATS in their last six games following an ATS win, and 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win of more than 14 points. That said, the Browns are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games in December.
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