The Chicago Bears did, in terms of online NFL betting, the unthinkable and upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-17 in overtime on Sunday for their first win of the season – and, it was not thanks to Mike Glennon – while the Green Bay Packers did the like with the Bengals 27-24, and though that was no upset, it was perhaps a little too close for the Packers’ liking. Even one of the league’s oldest rivalries can still offer up something new:
- Date: Thursday, 28th September
- Time: 8:30 PM
- Venue: Lambeau Field
Sportsbook NFL betting online odds:
Bears +7½ (-120) 45½ (-110)
Packers -7½ (EV) 45½ (-110)
Bad news, Bears
The good news is, obviously, that the Bears scratched a notch in the win column earlier than they were expected to (which was never). The bad news is that this unexpected success enables head coach John Fox to continue starting quarterback Mike Glennon, who threw 15 of 22 for 101 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Meanwhile, the return, in lieu of Josh Sitton, of guard Kyle Long to the offensive line, allowed the Bears running backs to post 216 yards, including Jordan Howard’s 138 yards and two TDs. “It feels like you’ve been gone a long time until you get out there,” Long said via the Chicago Sun Times. “And then, it’s like, ‘This is still football. It’s still really hard.’ I’m just happy to out there.” The Bears are not, with Glennon under center, going to ever accomplish much through the air, but their rediscovered running game could help them try to stay within the 7½-point online NFL betting spread, which they have covered just twice in their last nine road games – ditto for their last nine visits to Green Bay.
Another Aaron Rodgers milestone
Packers starting quarterback finally won, after six passes in seven contests, a game in overtime. Rodgers redeemed himself too for his second career pick-six and hit Geronimo Allison with a 72-yard pass for a touchdown as well as to set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 27-yard field goal with 6:26 remaining in overtime.
GERONIMO!
72-yarder from @AaronRodgers12 to @813Geronimo sets up the overtime victory!#CINvsGB #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/UrClBU1DrL
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 25, 2017
Green Bay’s defense took over from there and ensured the Packers held on to the lead. And there was much rejoicing among the Japanese fans who traveled thousands of miles to watch their favorite team. while the defense could make the difference between whether or not the Packers cover the spread, the connection between Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who scored two TDs against the Bengals, could hold the key for the total going over, as it has done in nine of Green Bay’s last 10 home games and five of their last seven against the Bears, and unlike 13 of their last 19 overall games versus Chicago and four of their last five times hosting Chicago, in which the online NFL betting total has gone under. Nelson’s game-tying score moved him up to second in franchise history with 66 scoring catches, behind only Don Hutson, who had 99 during the leather helmet era.