The Eagles are coming off an inspiring win on the road, while the Bears are coming off an incredibly disappointing loss at home. Now Philly, back at .500 on the season, gets to host downtrodden Chicago for an NFC bout Sunday afternoon. How are we playing this game for our free NFL pick?
NFL Betting Odds
Week 9’s NFL betting odds opened Philly at -3 over Chicago, with an over/under of 44. Early betting action then bumped the Eagles to -5 and dipped the total to 43.
Bears vs. Eagles Set-Up
Chicago is experiencing what it can be like playing against heightened expectations. The pre-season favorites to win the NFC North now sit at 3-4, after falling at home to the Chargers last week 17-16. Chicago led that game 16-7 well into the third quarter, fell behind by a point midway through the fourth, drove late into field-goal position only to have kicker Eddy Pineiro miss from 41 yards out at the buzzer.
On the day the Bears out-gained San Diego (yes, we’re calling the Chargers “San Diego”) 388-231, out-rushed the Bolts 162-36, made 26 first downs to just 11 for San Diego and dominated time of possession by a 38:22 split. But they lost the turnover battle 2-1 and missed an earlier field goal, all of which combined to create a crucial -10 points differential.
Two weeks ago, Chicago lost at home to New Orleans 36-25, and just prior to that, the Bears lost to Oakland in London 24-21. At 3-4 overall, the Bears are already in danger of falling out of playoff contention in a stacked NFC.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is 4-4 after beating the Bills in Buffalo last week 31-13. The Eagles trailed that game 7-3 well into the second quarter but took the lead with a touchdown just before the half. They then scored another touchdown on the opening possession of the second half and pulled away from there for the outright victory as one-point dogs.
On the day Philly out-rushed the Bills 218-98 and won the time of possession by a 36:24 split.
Last week’s performance came as very welcome for the Eagles, who had lost their previous two games to the Vikings and Cowboys by a combined score of 75-30.
At 4-4 overall, Philly basically trails division-leading Dallas by a full game in the NFC East, and it’s two games back in the race for the second NFC wild-card spot.
Bears-Eagles Recent History
Philadelphia owns a four-game winning streak, both SU and ATS, against Chicago, including that 16-15 victory at Soldier Field in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season. The Bears led that game 15-10 late, but the Eagles scored with a minute to go to take the lead. Chicago then drove last-gasp into field-goal range, only to have kicker Cody Parkey bounce one off the upright and the cross-bar from 43 yards out.
The Bears out-gained Philly that day 356-300.
Nick Foles quarterbacked the Eagles to victory that day.
Philadelphia won that game outright as a six-point underdog, and the game played under a total of 42.
NFL Betting Trends
- Chicago is 18-14 SU, 18-12-2 ATS, with Mitch Trubisky starting at QB.
- Philadelphia is 27-21 SU, 24-24 ATS, with Carson Wentz as the starter at QB.
- Through the first eight weeks of this NFL betting season, home teams are just 56-61 SU, 42-72 ATS.
Totals Report
- Unders are 4-3 in Bears games this season, which are averaging just 36 total points.
- Overs are 5-3 in Eagles games this season, which are averaging 50 points.
- Through the first eight weeks of this NFL season, unders are 63-54.
- Get more details: Chicago at Philadelphia NFL Match-up Stats
