Bears vs. Rams 2013, Week 12: Betting odds, trends & pick
The Chicago Bears will take on the St. Louis Rams in Week 12. We take a look at the odds and the trends against the spread.
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The Chicago Bears are set to hit the road to take on the St. Louis Rams in Week 12 on Sunday. Chicago (6-4) is atop the NFC North, in a tie with the Detroit Lions. The Bears managed a win in Week 11, besting the Baltimore Ravens in overtime, while the Lions lost a game they were expected to win, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers. St. Louis (4-6) has struggled on both sides of the ball this season, but dominated the Indianapolis Colts in their last outing.
Neither team has been particularly consistent when it comes to the spread, either. The Bears are 6-4 on the season, but 2-7-1 against the spread this season. Chicago hasn’t covered the spread at home all season, with an 0-5-1 record and a 2-2 mark on the road. St. Louis fares slightly better, with a 4-6 record against the spread, including an even 2-3 and 2-3 split at home and on the road.
The head to head between these two teams tells a different story, however. Chicago is 6-4 against the Rams in the two teams’ last 10 games, but the Bears hold a 7-3 mark against the spread in the head-to-head over that span.
When it comes to the actual lines, it’s even money right now. The lines opened up at even, but a few sites have swung in favor of the Rams, with some having St. Louis favored by a single point, according to OddsShark.
Chicago has dealt with significant injuries this season, with quarterback Jay Cutler missing time. Josh McCown has been serviceable in his absence however, and the Bears have the No. 10 passing offense in the NFL. They throw for 257.0 yards per game on average, and it's the running game where they've really struggled. Matt Forte has just slowed down in general.
St. Louis, on the other hand, has struggled just about everywhere. The Rams rank about middle of the pack in every significant stat, or a big lower. The secondary and running game have both improved in recent weeks, which is definitely a good sign. The secondary was supposed to be a strength this season, but they can’t be counted on to shut down McCown at this point.
The over/under for the game opened at 45.5 points and it’s hovering right around that point mid-week. That total has gone over in nine of Chicago’s last 12 games, and over in five of their last six games on the road. The total has also gone over in six of St. Louis’ last seven games and in five of their last six at home.
OddsShark is going with Chicago in their computer predictions, though it’s very close. They’re also betting on the over, given the trends leaning heavily in that direction and the poor defenses at play here.
Pick: Bears | Computer Prediction: 25-22 Bears (follow Odds Shark on Twitter for line updates and injury news)
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