In a matchup of two rookie quarterbacks, the Chicago Bears will welcome DeShone Kizer and the Cleveland Browns to town on Sunday.
The Chicago Bears will play host to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, in a matchup of two 2017 NFL Draft picks at quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky was the first quarterback taken in that draft, as the Bears went up and got him at No. 2. Kizer was a second-round pick of the Browns, and if he does not show something these last two weeks, he may no longer be the long-term option at the position moving forward.
Chicago is based around a solid running game, and an aggressive defense, which should prove to be the difference in this one. The Browns got star wide receiver Josh Gordon back after a two-year suspension, and he has shown he still has elite skill through his first couple of starts. The problem is, this team does not have All Pro left tackle Joe Thomas, and Kizer is making way too many mistakes with the ball earlier in his career.
Jordan Howard finished second in the NFL in rushing during his rookie season a year ago, and he has followed it up with a solid sophomore campaign. With the injuries to the Bears receiving corps, teams have keyed on Howard more this season, but he has still been productive. Cleveland is just lost on both sides of the ball, and with another loss on Sunday, they will have fallen to 1-30 with Hue Jackson at the helm over the past two seasons.
Odds
Line: Cleveland Browns (+6.5)
Over/Under: 38.0
The Bears are pretty solid home favorites in this one, as they are giving 6.5 points to the visiting Browns. The over/under is only set at 38.0 points at current time, and that is based on the fact that these two offenses struggle to score points. This line will change a lot throughout the week, so head on over to OddsShark.com for any changes up until kickoff.
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Chicago takes care of business at home in this one, as their defense has been tough no matter the competition inside Soldier Field. Kizer has not shown enough to convince me he will have a career-day against Chicago, although Josh Gordon should have a few big plays in this one. Trubisky makes enough plays to cover the 6.5 points, as the Bears win this one by ten.
Final Score: Bears 24, Browns 14