In previous articles, we previewed the undefeated teams and teams with just one loss. This week, we will change directions and look at the Miami Dolphins 2-3 (3rd AFC East) playing the Chicago Bears 3-3 (3rd in NFC North). The game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday the 19th of October, and will be televised on CBS TV. The opening odds have the Bears the favorites at -3 (-120) with Ov/Un 49 and ML -175, comeback +155.
This Sunday, the Bears have to demonstrate they can win at home, as this season they have yet to win a home game of which they played 2 thus far in 2014. The Bears avoided another road loss last Sunday as they beat the Falcons 27-13 in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are coming off a home defeat last Sunday, while the Green Bay Packers and QB Rogers completed a 60 yard drive in the 4th, and with 3 seconds left in the game hit a TD pass of 4 yards to Receiver Quarless to win the game 27-24. This Sunday the Dolphins will be without star RB Moreno, who was lost last week for the season to a knee injury.
The team leaders for the Dolphins are QB Tannehill, who has completed 113 of 186 yards for 1,146 aerial yards for 60.8% completions, and 8 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. RB Miller has 63 carries for 330 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns, while Receiver Wallace has 35 receptions for 313 yards a 4 touchdowns. The Bears team leaders are QB Cutler, who completed 156 of his 229 passes for 68.1% completions, and 13 touchdowns with 6 interceptions this season.
The Miami Dolphins rank 6th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 136 yards per game and 3rd in yards gained per carry of 4.97. Hence, we shall see how that works, with the Bear’s defense, that only allowed 188 yards rushing and 3.24 per carry in their last three games, as in their last game they held the Falcons to only 42 yards rushing. Their QB Tannehill has struggled, as he has thrown for five touchdowns, while being intercepted 6 times, with a 76.6 rating while on the road with NFC teams. His completion rating is 60.8% with a rating for passers of 81.5 with four touchdowns and 3 intercepts in the last 2 NFL games.
Next Sunday, Oct. 26th for the fans that bet on NFL football at an online sportsbook, or a local, the next week’s games can be intriguing as the Bears take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium at 1 PM ET on Fox TV. The Dolphins meanwhile travel to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field at 1PM ET on CBS TV.