The Chicago Bears visit the Tennessee Titans in Week Nine of the 2012 NFL season. Though Chris Johnson seems to have figured it out, the Bears are on a five-game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of the most competitive division in football. Can the Titans win at home, or is Vegas completely lost for leaving the spread at a meager 3.5 points?
There are a lot of strange spreads this Sunday with multiple road favorites expected to win by a field goal. As a result, public money is extremely lopsided and Las Vegas seems to think this is their week to make a move on home underdogs. Personally, I still like the favorites – even on the road. The Bears are no exception as they visit a suddenly-hot Titans team.
Johnson seems to have figured out how to run the ball again. The Titans are dominating the line, which allows veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck to manage the game effectively as he fills in for an injured Jake Locker. The defense has responded as well, and the Titans have been a complete team over recent weeks. They’ve won two of their last three, disappointing only in a tough, grinding loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week.
The Bears have been sloppy lately, but continue to find ways to win. Jay Cutler appeared injured against the Detroit Lions and hasn’t been effective since being thrown aggressively to the turf. Still, the Bears are a very complete team. If Cutler was indeed hurt, he should be fully healthy by now. After an incredible one-point win last week and a strong defensive performance against the Lions, the Bears have been able to keep their winning streak alive. A 6-1 record has them comfortably atop the NFC North.
I think the spread of 3.5 is more than reasonable, but I’m buying this down to 3 points to protect myself a bit. I expect the Bears defense to control the Titans’ running game, which will put too much pressure on Tennessee’s weak passing game. I don’t see the Titans being able to shut down a balanced Bears attack.
Chicago Bears 30 – Tennessee Titans 17
