When you look at the NFL preseason odds for the Chicago Bears at the Cleveland Browns you should know that the Browns are not going to play either of their top two quarterbacks.
The Bears are favored in NFL preseason betting as they try to avoid a winless preseason.Sbgglobal lists the Bears as three-point favorites in NFL preseason odds with a total of 37.5. Chicago has not looked good in the preseason with their new offense under coordinator Mike Martz but they have the advantage on Thursday night as the Browns are going with their third and fourth string quarterbacks.
McCoy and Ratliff – The Browns will be going with rookie Colt McCoy and veteran journeyman Brett Ratliff at quarterback on Thursday. Starting quarterback Jake Delhomme and backup Seneca Wallace will not play. McCoy and Ratliff are each expected to play two quarters. Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini has said that McCoy has made some progress in the preseason but that he is not where he needs to be.
Bears Need the Win – The Bears have lost to the Chargers, Raiders and Cardinals this preseason. The last time the Bears went winless in the preseason was in 1998 and they followed that up by going 4-12 during the regular season. Chicago is one of three winless teams in the preseason that will be looking for their first win on Thursday. The Chiefs and Colts are the other two winless teams in the preseason that will be looking for a win in NFL preseason betting.
Chicago’s offense has been up and down in the preseason. Quarterback Jay Cutler is 19-of-37 passes for 275 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason. He has been sacked 10 times. The Bears don’t have much behind Cutler and that is a major concern in this game because the backups see so much playing time. Chicago’s backup is Caleb Hanie but he has been hurt. Rookie Dan LeFevour will see some playing time and veteran Todd Collins who was recently signed should play as well.
The Browns and Bears have been on the board a lot vs. each other in NFL preseason odds. Cleveland leads the all-time preseason series 16-9. The Bears won last season 26-23 at home.