The Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns could end up being one of the most exciting games of the bunch this weekend. Chicago split their first two games of the new season but they’re entering this matchup with rookie quarterback Justin Fields in the starting position for the first time in his career. The Browns, who split their first two games as well, offer a tough test for the Bears. This feels like an early-season, defining moment that will tell us a lot more about each of these squads.

The Browns are 7-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 46.0.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Chicago is 0-3 against the spread in their last three games when walking into the contest as the underdog and yet they are 4-0 straight up in their past four games played in Week 3. The over has hit in the last four games Chicago has played as a road underdog. The Bears are also 0-7 ATS when losing their most recent road game.

Meanwhile, the Browns are 6-1 straight up in their last seven games overall when they are listed as the favourite. Cleveland is also 11-1 straight up in their past 12 home games as the favourite. In those same games, seven of them have hit the over on the betting lines.

Chicago Bears

Chicago lost quarterback Andy Dalton to a knee injury early in the third quarter of their last game, which is what has moved Fields into the starting lineup. Fields stepped in and showed some flashes of greatness last week but also threw a costly interception late in the game. Luckily, Chicago was able to win thanks to a strong defence that provided three interceptions. Fields didn’t end up scoring a touchdown but he did help the team ice the game when needed it, picking up a key first down in the final moments to ensure the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t get the ball back. He is going to have a tough matchup in his first career start but we saw rookie Davis Mills and the Houston Texans move the ball successfully against Cleveland last week. Cleveland’s defence isn’t as daunting as many people think.

Cleveland Browns

Had the Browns not made a special team’s error in their season opener, they would be sitting at 2-0 on the year right now with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans put a lot of pressure on the Cleveland defence but once they got settled in during the second half, they were able to break away. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was controlling the pace of the game that entire half, leaning on the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Browns could also see their No 1 wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., return to the field this week. That’s crucial as Jarvis Landry has been ruled out. Beckham Jr. has been questionable to return in both games so far this season, but the team didn’t want to rush him back onto the field too soon. Now might be the time to unleash him.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bears vs. Browns?