The Chicago Bears (-4) are heading southwest to battle the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Kickoff for this showdown is set for 4:25 p.m. ET and interested parties can watch the action on FOX.
Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview
In this Sunday NFC game, Chicago is labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Bears are also receiving -170 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +150. If one team can catch a lucky break early, it’ll probably create a decent live betting opportunity.
The line originally opened at 5 but has recently moved.
The Bears are down 1.0 unit so far in 2018 and 1-0 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 1-0. The Cardinals have lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 0-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 0-2.
The Bears have gone 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Cardinals are 0-2 SU.
The Bears just got a 24-17 victory over Seattle last week. Mitchell Trubisky completed 25-of-34 passes for 200 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jordan Howard (35 rushing yards on 14 attempts) led the running attack. Allen Robinson II (10 receptions, 83 yards) and Taylor Gabriel (four catches, 30 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Arizona was just shut out 34-0 by the Rams a week ago. The defensive secondary allowed the Rams to air it out for 354 yards. Brandin Cooks had a solid outing in the win for Los Angeles, recording 159 yards on seven catches. For Arizona, Sam Bradford completed 17-of-27 passes for 90 yards and one interception. David Johnson (48 rushing yards on 13 attempts) spearheaded the running game while Edmonds (five receptions, 15 yards) and Ricky Seals-Jones (four catches, 17 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Chicago has run the ball on 43.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arizona has an overall rush percentage of 33.0 percent. The Bears have produced 113 rush yards per game and have just a single touchdown on the ground this year. The Cards are putting up 61 rush yards per game and have only one rushing TD.
The Bears offense has averaged 186 yards in the air overall and has two passing TD so far. The Cards have produced 122 pass yards per contest and have yet to record a pass score.
Defensively, Chicago seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 72 yards and throw for 284 yards per game. The Arizona D has given up 304.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 136.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bears are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.18 to opposing QBs, while the Cards have allowed an ugly 9.01 ANY/A.
Offensively, Trubisky has amassed 200 passing yards on the year, and has completed 74 percent of his 34 attempts with two scores through the air and two interceptions. Trubisky’s got a 3.75 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.87 over the last two outings.
Jordan Howard (35 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards on the year), Allen Robinson II (83 receiving yards) and Taylor Gabriel (30 receiving yards) have all played key roles lately.
In the host locker room, Sam Bradford has completed 17-of-27 passes for 90 yards, zero TDs and one INT. Bradford’s ANY/A sits at a minuscule 1.36 for the year and 2.16 across his past two games.
We expect the Cards to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with WR Larry Fitzgerald (28 receiving yards this season), David Johnson (48 rush yards, three receiving yards) and Chase Edmonds (five rush yards, 15 receiving yards) have really been key factors in the Cardinals’ recent offensive gameplans.
Betting Pick: Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals
SU Winner – Bears, ATS Winner – Cardinals
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The Cardinals have made zero pass plays of 30+ yards while the Bears have produced two such plays.
The Chicago defense has allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards, while Arizona has given up zero such plays.
Both defenses have produced zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Chicago offense has recorded five running plays of 10+ yards while Arizona has accounted for two such plays.
Both teams have allowed zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Bears have given up three running plays of 10+ yards while the Cardinals have given up seven such plays.
The Chicago defense has twice as many sacks as Arizona this year (10 versus five).
*****
