The Chicago Bears have stumbled out of the gate to start the 2017 season, and it won’t get any easier, as they welcome the Steelers to town Sunday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into Soldier Field looking to move to 3-0 on the young season, as the Chicago Bears look to win their first game. It is a matchup of two teams that should be headed for different seasons, as one will pick early in next April’s draft, and one may make it to a conference championship game. On Sunday, they will do battle inside the Windy City, though it could prove to be one of the more mismatched games of the weekend.
Chicago looked very good in Week 1, as they came within a play of beating the Atlanta Falcons. While Week 1 was kind of shocking, Week 2 was not, as they went into Tampa Bay and got their doors blown off. Quarterback Mike Glennon is basically auditioning for the other 31 teams this season, and he is going to have a hard time turning heads if he is always being driven into the turf.
After sitting out the preseason, runnnig back Le’Veon Bell has yet to break out, so that may be coming against the Bears on Sunday. Bell is the most versatile back in the AFC, and it is only a matter of time before he puts up a multiple-touchdown afternoon. The Bears defense was pretty porous on Sunday against the Bucs, and this Steelers offense may be more talented than Tampa Bay’s was.
These games can often be considered trap games for the favorites, especially when they have to go on the road. Soldier Field was rocking in the season opener, and the Steelers can expect more of the same on Sunday. Chicago has also been decimated with injuries, which could make this game a laugher in Week 3.
Odds
Line: Chicago (+7.0)
Over/Under: 45.0
The Steelers are going to roll in this one, and the seven-point spread should be covered easily. The over/under makes sense due to the Steelers defense, which should put the clamps down on Chicago on Sunday. This line and over/under is going to change a bit over the course of the week, so head on over to sportsbookreview.com for any changes up until kickoff.
Next: NFL power rankings, Week 3: Broncos rise, Bengals fall
Prediction
The Steelers are on a mission this season, as there is always the chance Ben Roethlisberger retires after the year is up. The Bears do not stand much of a chance in this one, though they could get lucky and make it competitive. We like the Steelers to get out to an early lead, and cruise to an easy victory in their third game of the season.
Final Score: Steelers 31, Bears 13