Week 7 NFL Odds: Bears at Bucanneers Too Close to Call
Published by Jack Jones on October 20, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
With both teams coming off good divisional wins a week after losing, Chicago and Tampa Bay travel across the pond this week to play a regular-season game in London.
This is expected to be a very even game, as both teams responded to losses against division leaders to post key division wins, setting up an intriguing matchup.
The latest betting odds show the Bears favored by one point on the road, while the total is set for 43.5 points.
Chicago Bears
After a 1-2 start, the Bears have pulled even with two wins in their last three games, including last week’s 39-10 win over division rival Minnesota. This week’s game will be the Bears fourth game against the NFC South (2-1 record).
Chicago had been known as a quality defensive team, but the Bears are struggling in that area this year, ranking just 22nd in the league in rush defense (122 yards per game) and 25th against the pass (276 ypg).
Lance Briggs leads the team with 49 tackles, Julius Peppers has four sacks and two fumble recoveries, Brian Urlacher and D.J. Moore have all four of the team’s interceptions and Charles Tillman has two forced fumbles. Last week, the Bears held Minnesota to 286 total yards, including just 53 on the ground.
Not only is the defense a bit below average, but the offense would be considered mediocre, ranking 20th in the league rushing the ball (104 ypg) and 21st in passing (224 ypg). Matt Forte is the linchpin of the offense, leading the team with 527 rushing yards (5.3 per carry) and 36 receptions for 381 yards and two combined touchdowns.
Jay Cutler is completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,476 yards with eight TDs and four interceptions. But don’t turn away from Devin Hester, who averages 21.3 yards per punt return and 27.7 yards per kickoff return. His singular ability to affect field position may likely be a difference in this game.
Tampa Bay
After an opening-week loss to Detroit, the Buccaneers have won four of their last five games, including a 26-20 home win over New Orleans. Tampa is 1-1 against the NFC South so far, and five of the six games have been decided by seven points or fewer—only a 48-3 loss at San Francisco two weeks ago being the exception.
Tampa is in the middle of the pack offensively, ranking 14th in passing (239 ypg) and 15th in rushing (112 ypg). Quarterback Josh Freeman is making an indelible mark, throwing for 1,459 yards and five TDs (with six interceptions, though) through the air, but is also third on the team in rushing (109 yards on 29 carries).
LaGarrette Blount leads the rushing attack with 328 yards and three scores (4.3 yards per carry), but is not expect to play, while Earnest Graham averages 5.5 yards per carry on 35 attempts. Three players have 25 or more receptions, led by Kellen Winslow (27 for 257 yards), followed by Graham (25 for 165) and Mike Williams (25, 242, TD).
Defensively, Tampa is a respectable 18th against the run (115 ypg) but is 26th against the pass (276 ypg). Sean Jones leads the squad with 36 tackles, three players have 2.0 sacks (Mason Foster, Michael Bennett, Adrian Clayborn), five players have interceptions, seven have forced fumbles and five have recoveries (led by Bennett’s two).
Tampa allowed 453 yards to New Orleans last week, but pulled out the win thanks to four turnovers. The Bucs had forced just seven turnovers in their first five games.
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