It appears the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Chicago Bears matchup will be determined by which backup quarterback can get the job done.
Fortunately, there are star wide receivers that should help their cause. Check out the odds for this game and look for a prediction on this contest.
Our Betting Lines page has the freshest lines and promos to get BANG for your buck. PFN’s FREE Parlay Calculator and Betting Odds Calculator are also available for your betting process! New to sports betting? Check out our guide on How to Bet on the NFL. Visit our Sports Betting Legal Tracker on how to bet legally in the U.S.Â
Raiders vs. Bears Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Raiders -2.5
- Moneyline: Raiders (-135); Bears (+114)
- Over/Under: 37.5
- Game time: 1:00Â p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field
- Channel: FOX
Raiders vs. Bears Prediction
So, Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Justin Fields could turn into Aiden O’Connell (or Brian Hoyer) vs. Tyson Bagent?
Garoppolo (back) has already been ruled out for this week, and Fields (right thumb) is considered doubtful. At 1-5, are the Bears going to chance it with their young quarterback, especially if he reportedly cannot grip a football?
MORE: NFL Survivor Picks Week 7
All may not be lost for the Bears if Fields can’t go. For one, Bagent was not great, but decent, when he replaced an injured Fields last week vs. Minnesota. Bagent was 10-14 for 83 yards passing and also rushed for a touchdown. But he also had two turnovers — an interception and a lost fumble.
Bagent will also be throwing to a wide receiver that has been on a tear this season in DJ Moore. In just six games this season, Moore already has more receiving yards (582) than any Bears player had all of last season.
Moore is also averaging seven receptions a game and almost 140 receiving yards (137.3) per game over his last three games, with four touchdown receptions over that span. He is on pace to have the highest receiving average — 97.0 yards per game — in the history of the franchise.
Also playing in the Bears’ favor is a little quirky note from the NFL: The Raiders are 0-3 since 2021 when facing rookie quarterbacks. And since 2019, they are just 2-7 when facing a rookie quarterback.
Now, while Fields isn’t officially out, Garoppolo is out for the Raiders. And whether it’s O’Connell or Hoyer under center, one player who could make life easier for Las Vegas is running back Josh Jacobs.
The NFL’s leading rusher last season is still leading the Raiders in rushing this season (312 yards), but he has not come close to approaching the success of 2022. He has the second-lowest yards per carry average (minimum 40 carries) in the NFL, ahead of only Dameon Pierce of the Texans.
And somewhat quietly, the Raiders’ defense has been improving, ranking just outside the top 10 in total yards per game allowed (315.3, 11th). They also have one of the better pass defenses in the NFL, ranking 8th in passing yards per game allowed (193.7).
After not having a takeaway in their first three games, the Raiders have five takeaways in their last three games. Each of their last three opponents has been held well under 200 passing yards.
Even when the Bears had a healthy Fields at quarterback to go alongside Moore at wide receiver, they were still just 26th in passing yards per game (188.5).
The Bears are not just struggling on the scoreboard (1-5 straight-up record); they are struggling against the spread, going just 1-4-1 ATS so far. Chicago also hasn’t covered a spread at home (0-2-1). On top of that, the Bears are just 3-10-1 ATS since 2021 as a home underdog.
MORE: NFL Bets and Expert Picks Week 7
The loss of Garoppolo certainly hurts the Raiders’ chances of winning on the road. And their inability to beat rookie quarterbacks of late is strange, but it should not be a deterrent from picking them if you like them in this matchup.
Since I do like the Raiders here, I’m forgetting I ever wrote that rookie QB note.
Take Las Vegas in this one.
Best Bet: Raiders -2.5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
