Falcons vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Week 17 Odds, Prediction
The Bears extended a promising late-season 4-2 surge with last weekend’s 27-16 victory over Arizona, and are poised to hit the gridiron as betting favourites in consecutive weeks for the first time this season. The Falcons arrive in the Windy City in desperation mode. Last weekend’s 29-10 of Indianapolis ended a two-game slide, but leaves the team still needing wins in the final two weeks of the season to maintain any hope of backing into an NFC wild card spot.
The Bears are pegged as home chalk for just the third time this season, favoured by three points on the NFL Week 17 odds. The Falcons sport +135 NFL moneyline odds as they vie for their just third straight up win in 14 road games. The total sits at 38.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bears have emerged as a reliable bet in the second half of the season, covering in four of five outings since quarterback Justin Fields’ return from injury, and going 7-4-1 ATS since the beginning of October. However, Chicago has covered just once in five games as home chalk since the beginning of the 2022 season. A stingy Bears defence has limited opponents to just 14.8 points per game over the past four games.
One game back of first-place Tampa Bay in the NFC South standings and stalled in ninth in the NFC wild card race, the Falcons have finally started to shut down opponents, allowing more than 10 points just once while winning three of their past five. Accordingly, the Falcons also enjoy a 3-2 ATS run, ending a 2-8 slide to start the season. The Falcons have historical struggles to overcome at Soldier Field, where they have won once in seven visits, and failed to cover in five straight since 1990.
Atlanta Falcons
Taylor Heinicke got the nod as starting pivot in last week’s victory over the Colts. The 30-year-old took care of business, passing for 229 yards and one score. However, an ankle injury has limited him at practice this week, and left his status in doubt for Sunday. If Heinicke can’t go, the falcons may be forced to turn the offence back over to Desmond Ridder, who struggled to get this team over the hump in some narrow losses earlier this season. Whoever is under centre may be impacted by injuries on the offensive line.
Chicago Bears
After a tough start that featured the loss of Justin Fields to injury, this team has managed to keep razor-thin playoff hopes alive during their 4-2 SU run. Fields has connected on four scoring passes and run for two touchdowns since returning to the lineup. Khalil Herbert turned in a 112-yard, one touchdown performance with D’Onta Foreman out of the lineup last week. However, the Bears must contend with a formidable Atlanta rush defence that has kept opposing rushers out of the end zone in each of the team’s past two road games, and allowed just six total scoring runs so far this season.