Bears vs. Ravens Point Spread: NFL Week 8 Odds, Prediction
Chicago, 4-2 and winners of four straight, travel to M&T Bank Stadium to face a reeling 1-5 Baltimore team on Sunday at 1 pm ET.
Chicago continued to lean into its rushing attack and defence in a 26-14 victory at home over the New Orleans Saints last week. D’Andre Swift had 124 rushing yards and a touchdown while emerging rookie Kyle Monangai added 81 yards and a score on the ground for the Bears.
Meanwhile, the team’s defence recorded 3+ turnovers for the fourth straight game. The Bears had three interceptions and a fumble recovery, as well as four sacks, led by Tremaine Edmunds, who had both an interception and a sack in the suffocating effort.
The Ravens are the NFL’s most disappointing team so far this season. Losers of four straight, including two consecutive at home, where they were outscored 61-13, Baltimore is eagerly awaiting the return of Lamar Jackson.
His status for Sunday makes all the difference in the world.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
On this week’s NFL odds board, the Bears are 4-2 against the spread this season, including 2-1 ATS in road contests. They have played to the over in three of their six games.
Baltimore is 1-5 against the spread, including 1-3 ATS at home. Thanks to their high-octane offense when Jackson is under center, combined with their surprisingly porous defence, the Ravens have played to the over five times.
Chicago Bears
The media can talk all about Caleb Williams becoming the first Bears quarterback to ever throw for 4,000 yards. Currently, for this team to be successful, it needs to continue building on its ground attack.
Williams had a pedestrian performance against the Saints, completing just 15 of 26 passes for 172 yards and no touchdowns. But he turned the ball over just once as Swift and Monangai headlined a 222-yard rushing day.
The defence leads the league with 16 takeaways. It lost Tyrique Stevenson against the Saints, but the secondary, led by Kevin Byard III and his four interceptions, is well-equipped to withstand his absence.
Baltimore Ravens
Will he or won’t he? That applies to both Jackson and All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, who has missed the last two games. He’s still fourth on the team in tackles despite the absence.
Smith’s playing has a tremendous impact on the team’s defence. Jackson’s presence is the difference in the Ravens having a chance to win versus losing their fifth straight. The Ravens averaged 32.8 points in four games with Jackson in the lineup, surpassing 30 points in a game three times. Without Jackson, Baltimore has averaged 6.5 points in two contests.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bears vs. Ravens?
Jackson’s presence changes the prediction of this game entirely. If he is out, and Cooper Rush or Tyler Huntley is under center for the Ravens, look for Chicago to win 24-7. If Jackson does play, the Bears should still come away with a victory. However, the final score prediction changes to 31-27.
That’s how much Jackson’s status changes things, so wait until Baltimore coach John Harbaugh announces if he is playing or not.
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