This week features a huge game in the NFC playoff picture, as the 4-2 New Orleans Saints travel to Soldier Field to take on the 5-2 Chicago Bears. With a loss, the Bears would be pushed out of a playoff spot after starting the season 5-1. The NFC as a whole is an extremely challenging conference, where most teams outside of the NFC East are tough outs. It will be a true race to the finish line, as teams vie for the final playoff spot in the NFL.
Bettors who backed the Bears last Monday night got shafted by a completely inept, horrific offensive performance that saw the Bears defense outscore their offense. Even after managing only a field goal in a terrible loss, the Bears are still 5-2 and very much in the thick of both the NFC North divisional race and the NFC playoff race as a whole at the midway point of the season. This week, the Bears find themselves as underdogs yet again, as they have been for 6 out of the 7 games they've played this season. Sunday's match against the Saints will be the sixth consecutive they are underdogs. So let's get into everything you need to know to get you set to bet on the pivotal Week 8 Saints at Bears showdown.
Numbers provided by FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: NO: (-198) | CHI: (+166)
Spread: NO: -4 (-110) | CHI: +4 (-110)
Total: 44 – Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via oddsFire: NO: (78%) | CHI: (22%)
Odds to Win Super Bowl LV: NO: (+1300) | CHI: (+4400)
Game Information
NFL Week 8 Game New Orleans Saints (4-2, 1-1 Away) vs. Chicago Bears (5-2, 2-1 Home) Date: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 Time: 4:25 p.m. EST Venue: Soldier Field — Chicago, IL Coverage: FOX
Spread
As of Thursday morning, the Bears enter this game as 4-point underdogs to the Saints. The look-ahead before the Bears' crushing defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams was Saints -2.5, so oddsmakers adjusted the line after their anemic performance. On the other end of the spectrum, the Saints have started to rebound after a disappointing 1-2 start to the year, winning three straight games to move to 4-2 despite the loss of WR Michael Thomas. -4 is a pretty steep number to lay with a road team that is 2-4 against the spread this season, and that will probably still be without their best offensive weapon. However, the Bears really haven't given us much optimism that they will be able to keep up with Drew Brees on offense. If we had to, we would bet the Bears, but we kind of want to avoid the spread in this one.Moneyline
The Bears are +166 on the money line. The Saints' money line is priced at -198. Just like the spread, the money line has been adjusted following the Bears' Week 7 blowout loss to the Rams. We expect the money line to move slightly in the Bears favor come Sunday, as this number is a bit inflated.Over/Under Total
The over/under for the Bears and Saints Week 8 game is 44. Take into consideration the over in Bears games are 2-5, missing the total by an average of 4.2 points per contest. Only two teams, the Rams and Arizona Cardinals have stayed under the total by a wider per game margin. The Bears are one of the worst over bets in the NFL this season. Meanwhile, the Saints are the exact opposite. The over has cashed in all six of the Saints’ games. On average, they’ve cleared the total by a ridiculous 9.2 points per game. They are the best "over" team in the NFL. Unfortunately, we have no hope in the Bears offense to put up points, even against this questionable Saints defense that's allowing 29 PPG. Lean under for this one.Line Analysis
The Saints haven't looked like the team they have in years past, especially on offense. That being said, this is still an extremely talented squad that seems to be finding their form after the loss of Thomas. On the other side, the oddsmakers clearly still arent sold on the Bears. After making them 6 point road underdogs last week against the Rams, they come back and make them 4 point home dogs despite a 5-2 record. The spread anticipates heavy action on the Saints, who are typically a public team, as they’re playing an opponent with an offense that doesn’t inspire any confidence.Public Betting
The early public money is backing the Saints. As of Tuesday morning, 78% of all point spread bets back the Saints, and 22% percent of the money is on the Bears side.Player Props
Allen Robinson: A-Rob should have a big game if you are looking just at stats alone. The Saints have been absolutely annihilated by opposing number one receivers. However, we know better about this Bears offense. Stats don't matter. Darnell Mooney: We will hammer Mooney overs until this young man starts getting the long TDs he deserves. The fifth-round selection out of Tulane has played exceptionally well, even if his QBs can't deliver him the ball. Nick Foles: For all intents and purposes, this should be an absolute lock to go over. The Saints have been abysmal against the pass, their weakest unit on the field is their secondary. But truly, do you really want to put money on Foles? Honestly, against anyone? Alvin Kamara: Over, over, over. Everything over. He will be the Saints offense.Betting Trends
- New Orleans is 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last five games. - The total has hit the over in each of New Orleans' last six games. - The total has hit the under in five of Chicago's last six games. - The total has hit the under in four of Chicago's last five games against New Orleans.Stats To Consider
- New Orleans is averaging 30.0 PPG this season (No. 7 in the NFL). - New Orleans is surrendering 29.0 PPG this season (T-No. 24 in the NFL). - Chicago is averaging 19.7 PPG this season (No. 27 in the NFL). - Chicago is surrendering 20.0 PPG this season (No. 7 in the NFL).
