The Chicago Bears had an 8-8 record in the 2020 season, but it was good enough to lead them to the playoffs. The season was highlighted by an ongoing quarterback struggle.
It remains unclear whether Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles is the right man for the job at Soldier Field. The Bears kept bouncing between these quarterbacks throughout the season.
This NFL betting review shows that the Bears weren’t much of anything special to bettors. The Bears were in the middle of the pack in both total and ATS wagering.
ATS Values
The Bears went 8-8 against the spread, as they were the underdog in most situations. The Bears weren’t expected to win most of their games, but they found ways to pull it out on occasion.
He’s a man of few words, but the hits speak for themselves. 😤
HBD, Kyle Fuller! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dBF0aECeTR
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 16, 2021
The team had a +2.5 line against the Atlanta Falcons, and they managed to score twenty points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Falcons. The team was also a +2 underdog against the Carolina Panthers, but they kept the lead for the entire game to win 23-16.
The Bears turned on the heat late in the season by winning three of their four final games. The club beat the spread in all three of those wins. These include a 33-27 road win over the Minnesota Vikings, where the Bears had a +2.5 line. They also beat Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17 as the -9.5 favorite.
Over/Under Report
The team’s offensive struggles were prevalent in 2020, as the Bears had 23.3 points per game. The defense did better at 23.1 points per game. Khalil Mack continued to show his strength as an all-around linebacker, while Roquan Smith had a breakout season in the secondary. The club also features a few prominent pass rushers like Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols.
The Bears went 8-8 on the over/under, as the sportsbooks figured that the team’s effective defense would keep most of their games low-scoring affairs. The totals were from around 40 to 45 in most situations. The Bears surrendered fewer than forty points in seven games, including a 36-7 victory over the Houston Texans.
The offense still showed why it’s hard to pick the over when the Bears play. The Bears scored twenty or fewer points in half their games this season. The team also fell well under the total in their playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints slimed the Bears in that game 21-9, with the Bears’ only touchdown coming when the game was just about over.
Betting Plans for 2021
People interested in the Chicago Bears for their 2021 NFL betting plans will need to watch what the team does this offseason. Nick Foles has a high-value contract, and inaugural Nickelodeon Valuable Player-winner Mitch Trubisky hasn’t shown he is ready for the NFL.
Receiver Allen Robinson II is also widely expected to bolt in the free agent market, leaving running back David Montgomery and kicker Cairo Santos the only real threats the team has on offense.
These factors make the Bears tough to pick in 2021. The Bears have a +550 line to win the NFC North, with the Green Bay Packers dominating the division at -210. The Bears also have one of the worst lines to win Super Bowl LVI at +6000.
The Bears’ 2021 schedule will also feature a mixed bag of opponents. The Bears will play the NFC West and AFC North, plus they have games with the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team’s defense is capable of handling high-value quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson or Matthew Stafford, but whether their offense can keep them in the game remains uncertain.
Even though the NFL season is over, we will still be keeping our eye on what’s going on! Make sure you check all the latest information on our NFL hub page.
*Odds correct at time of writing.
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