The NFL continues to provide captivating Thursday night matchups to watch and wager on, this week featuring the 2-7 Bears and the 1-7 Panthers at Soldier Field.
Neither team is likely to play itself back into playoff contention this season, and rookie quarterbacks currently lead both. However, there is still a lean to be had for our free NFL Thursday night betting pick.
NFL Betting Odds
The Week 10 NFL betting lines opened with Chicago as a three-point favorite for Thursday night, with an over/under close to 40. Early betting action has nudged the Bears to -3.5.
Panthers-Bears NFL Betting Preview
Last week, Carolina regressed after securing their first win of the Coach Reich and QB Young era, losing at home to Indianapolis 27-13. The Panthers conceded the first 10 points and trailed 20-3 at halftime, partly due to a pick-6 from Bryce Young. Carolina narrowed the gap to 20-10 in the third quarter, but another pick-6 from Young dashed any hopes of a comeback.
While the Panthers outgained the Colts 275-198, much of that yardage came from playing catch-up. Carolina also lost the turnover battle 3-1, which translated to a -14 point differential.
Chicago is 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS over its last five games after a narrow 24-17 loss at New Orleans last week, managing to cover the spread as +8 underdogs. The Bears, with Tyson Bagent making his third start in the absence of the injured Justin Fields, tied the game at halftime but ultimately fell in the fourth quarter.
Importantly, Chicago surpassed New Orleans in total yardage 368-301 and in rushing yards 156-87. However, turnovers proved costly, with five giving rise to a -10 point differential.
With Chicago’s QB Fields still questionable for Thursday’s game, Bagent is expected to make his fourth start.
Comparing performances against common opponents this season, Chicago played the Vikings and Saints to 0-2 SU and 1-1 ATS with +61 YPG, while Carolina went 0-2 SU and 0-1-1 ATS with -68 YPG.
The last encounter between these teams was three seasons ago, with Chicago securing a 23-16 victory at home.
NFL Betting Trends
- Chicago is 5-21 SU and 8-16-1 ATS under Coach Eberflus.
- Excluding Week 1, Thursday night home teams are 5-3 SU and 3-4-1 ATS this NFL season.
Totals Report
The Unders are 5-3 in Panthers games this season, with an average of 42 total points.
The Overs are 6-3 in Bears games this season, with an average of 48 points.
Through Week 9, unders have prevailed 61 percent of the time in the NFL this season.
