Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins game preview, odds, predictions

Week 7 of the National Football League is upon us and this weekend we’ll see the Chicago Bears take on the Washington Redskins.

This match up will put former head coach Mike Shanahan up against his former superstars in Denver, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. I’m sure before and after the game Shanahan will approach both Cutler and Marshall to show each side some love.

Last Thursday the Chicago Bears took care of the win-less New York Giants as they kept Eli Manning’s turnover frenzy alive and well.

Zachary Bowman and Tim Jennings both picked off the struggling Manning brother in back to back drives. Bowman’s interception came in the second play of the game, while Jennings picked off Eli on New York’s next drive and ran it in for six points.

One thing Chicago had problems with was stopping the run. Chicago allowed Brandon Jacobs to pick up his first 100 yard rushing game since the 2011 season.

Quarterback Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall hooked up nine times against New York’s defense for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Marshall currently sits at 40 receptions for 465 yards and two touchdowns.

Cutler has 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. Those 1,630 passing yards are the most by any Bears quarterback through the first six games in franchise history. He’s well on his way to breaking another Chicago Bears record this season.

Now as for the Washington Redskins, who came off an amazing season last year after winning the division and having the NFL Rookie of the Year in RG3. This team has struggled to get things going but has shown signs of life in certain situations in their first five games.

Robert Griffin hasn’t been the same since he’s returned from his knee injury. Half of his old playbook was thrown out the window after he completely tore up his knee and had to have surgery. His recover time was first thought to be an entire year and he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to be ready in time for the regular season.

Being a determined player, Griffin was ahead of schedule and was indeed ready for the regular season. But this isn’t the type of come back season he had in mind. Through his first five games of the season, RG3 has thrown for six touchdowns, five interceptions and six fumbles.

His best performance this season came late in the game against the Green Bay Packers in the second week. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 320 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 38-20 loss.

Washington is win-less at home so far through two games played, while the Bears are 1-1 on the road.

The Redskins have been running the ball fairly well as they average 128 rushing yards per game. With the damage up front for the Bears defensive line, they’re going to be looking to mix up hand offs and attack that defense on the ground.

Alfred Morris currently leads the team with 377 rushing yards on 72 carries and three touchdowns.

Matt Forte has 442 rushing yards on 100 carries and three touchdowns.

Chicago Ranks 13th and 17th in passing/rushing offense and 23rd and 12th in passing/rushing defense.

Washington ranks 10th in passing/rushing offense and 24th and 27th in passing/rushing defense.

As far as my prediction for this game? I think the Washington Redskins put up a bit of a fight but struggle near the end of the game. Jay Cutler continues to light up defenses and attacks this 24th rank passing defense like he has all season against opponents.

Morris and this rushing game will move the chains for the Redskins through out the game as Shanahan may favor ball being on the ground than the air with this Bears defense. Even then this Chicago team can still find ways to jar the ball loose from ball carriers.

When it’s all said and done, I think the Chicago Bears walk away with the victory. Now onto what I think could be the final score of this game.

I say the  Chicago Bears 30 Washington Redskins 17.

I think the pressure between Briggs and rookie linebacker Jon Bostic on top of Shea McClellin, Corey Wootton and Julius Peppers gets to RG3 and forces turnovers.

RG3 and Morris pick up a touchdown each, while Cutler throws three touchdowns and leaves the rest up to Robbie Gould.

Chicago 48.5 O/U

Washington +1.5