Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Monday 9/17/18
September 16, 2018
By Kevin Rogers
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.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears Preview and Predictions 09-17-2018 in NFL
NFL Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
Seahawks vs. Bears Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/14/2018
The Chicago Bears were shaping up to become the toast of the town halfway through their season opener - until Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers crashed their party. Khalil Mack will make his Soldier Field debut as the Bears look to rebound from a crushing defeat in Week 1 when they face the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener on Monday night.
Chicago built a 20-point lead and Mack was looking every bit like the dominant force for which the team had hoped before Rodgers returned from injury and threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-23 victory. "Things happen for a reason - I'm a firm believer in that," Chicago's Matt Nagy told reporters regarding his head-coaching debut. "And when things happen for a reason and you stay positive, then in the end, we're going to use this thing." The Seahawks also absorbed a narrow loss in their opener, taking the lead early in the fourth quarter before dropping a 27-24 decision to Denver. "It's a big matchup (between) two hungry teams getting ready to go on Monday night," Seattle coach Pete Carroll told reporters. "The Bears had a terrific game going and then, as we all know, Aaron Rodgers kind of stole the show."
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Bears -3.5. O/U: 43
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (0-1): Russell Wilson was under relentless pressure against Denver's defense and finished 19-of-33 for 298 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Seattle's passing game received a jolt, however, when No. 1 wideout Doug Baldwin suffered a sprained MCL in the contest - leaving them to go forward with veteran Brandon Marshall and speedster Tyler Lockett, who each had a touchdown reception. The Seahawks raised some eyebrows around the league by signing linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who pleaded guilty last week to charges of inside trading. Seattle is thin at linebacker, with K.J. Wright (knee) and Bobby Wagner (groin) both sitting out practice on Friday.
ABOUT THE BEARS (0-1): Mack, who was acquired from Oakland and signed to a record six-year, $141 million contract prior to the season opener, was a wrecking ball against Green Bay in the first half with a sack, forced fumble and interception return for a touchdown. Mack and the defense recorded four sacks and will set their sights on a Seattle offensive line that surrendered six sacks versus Denver - three by linebacker Von Miller. Running back Jordan Howard looked comfortable in Nagy's new-look offense, rushing for 82 yards on 15 carries and adding five receptions for 25 yards. Second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (22-of-35) threw for only 171 yards, hooking up with wide receiver Allen Robinson four times for 61 yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Mack has registered eight sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in his last seven games versus NFC opponents.
2. Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in each of his last six road contests.
3. Trubisky has recorded three TD passes, zero interceptions and a 95.6 passer rating in his last four home games.
PREDICTION: Bears 23, Seahawks 22
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