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The Denver Broncos (0-3) face the Chicago Bears (0-3) Sunday in Week 4 NFL action. Kickoff from Soldier Field is at 1 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Broncos vs. Bears odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
There are just 4 winless teams remaining in the NFL and their fanbases are starting to panic. After Sunday, provided they don’t tie, only one of these teams will remain without a victory.
Denver lost 70-20 as a 6-point underdog at the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. QB Russell Wilson threw for 306 yards, nearly the same as Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa‘s 309 yards, but the defense allowed 10 touchdowns, resulting in the most points allowed in a single game since 1966. Miami averaged 8.1 yards per carry and totaled 350 yards on the ground while Denver had just 69 yards with a 3.5 yards per carry average.
The Broncos started their season as favorites against both the Las Vegas Raiders (-3) and the Washington Commanders (-3.5) but they lost those games by a combined 3 points.
Chicago has failed to cover in every game so far, most recently a 41-10 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs as 13-point favorites in Week 3. The Bears trailed by just 7 points after the 1st quarter but the Chiefs scored 27 points in the 2nd quarter to take a 34-0 lead. Chicago scored its only points in the final quarter, connecting on a 21-yard field goal just 86 seconds in and a 9-yard TD pass to WR DJ Moore with 4:20 remaining.
The Bears’ defense has been a liability this season, giving up 27 or more points in their 3 games, which combined with QB Justin Fields playing as a pocket passer instead of a running quarterback, have put the Bears in a tough position.
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Broncos at Bears odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Broncos -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Bears +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Broncos -3.5 (-105) | Bears +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Broncos at Bears key injuries
Broncos
- LB Frank Clark (hip) out
- C Lloyd Cushenberry (illness) questionable
- LB Josey Jewell (hip) out
- DL Mike Purcell (ribs) out
- S Justin Simmons (hip) questionable
Bears
- CB Josh Blackwell (hamstring) out
- CB Eddie Jackson (foot) out
- CB Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) out
Broncos at Bears picks and predictions
Prediction
Broncos 22, Bears 17
Moneyline
It’s difficult to bring up stats on the Denver Broncos after last week’s horrendous loss since giving up 70 points in 1 of the 3 games you play skews everything.
The Bears rank 31st in passing yards per game (148.3), 30th in offensive sack percentage (12.87) and 29th in completion percentage (57.95). They have just a 1% sack rate on defense, the worst in the NFL, and allow 8.7 yards per pass, which is 31st.
Despite playing in Chicago I think it’s a tough ask to beat a Denver that will look to bounce back from an historical loss in Week 3.
PASS on the moneyline and look to the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
Home ‘dogs this year are 7-10-1 against the spread. This line opened at Bears +2.5 before moving to +3.5, so the money coming in is on the Broncos.
With the injuries the Bears have in the secondary, there will be plenty of opportunities for Wilson to throw deep and pad Denver’s score.
BET BRONCOS -3.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Both teams have struggled to score this season. The line is surprisingly high for this matchup, most likely because both defenses seem to be significant liabilities for their team.
However, I still like the Under. The Bears are 25th in 3rd down conversions (34.21%) and the Broncos are just as bad (34.29%). Combine that with Denver’s 45% red-zone touchdown percentage (25th in the NFL) and it seems prime for a low-scoring matchup.
LEAN UNDER 46 (-110).
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