Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
Read More
Expert Picks
I understand why people want to back Chicago here with the way Atlanta has looked, but I'm going to give them a pass. There aren't many defenses that will look good if you make them play the Seahawks and Cowboys back-to-back, so I'm not writing off this unit's improvement in the second half of last season. The Bears are 2-0, but it took the Lions being down their top three cornerbacks for Mitchell Trubisky to finally start moving the ball in Week 1, and he didn't look particularly impressive last week either. We're getting less than a field goal in a Matt Ryan vs. Mitchell Trubisky matchup in Atlanta -- to me, it doesn't even matter if Julio Jones plays.
I love underdogs with better defense ratings. Yes, I know the Falcons' offense is better than Chicago's, but I think that both differences are a wash. Atlanta's defense is allowing a league-worst 7.1 points per play and an average of 39 per game. I expected that defense to actually make Mitchell Trubisky to look good. The Bears' pass defense is one of four allowing opposing QBs to complete less than 60 percent of their attempts with two interceptions and one touchdown pass. This game comes down to the wire.
Chicago is the shakiest 2-0 team, having been outplayed for three quarters by Detroit and barely dodging the sorry Jets. No way the Bears’ offense can keep pace with its potent counterpart. The Falcons can win without eventual Hall of Fame receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), but he would help. A game-time decision, Jones has often played in this scenario. Atlanta will be eager to distance itself from the onside kick debacle in Dallas a week ago.
Mitch Trubisky against Matt Ryan is a mismatch. The Bears are typically terrible on the road, and the Falcons are loaded with talent. They're home on the turf, and they're a fast-break team. That will work in their favor and against the Bears.
Yes the Bears are extremely fortunate to be 2-0, but the truth is Mitchell Trubisky is playing better this year. If not for a couple egregious drops, his stats would have looked respectable in last week's win over the Giants. Robert Quinn is making an impact opposite Khalil Mack. And the Bears are remarkably healthy. Atlanta, meanwhile, suffered a few key injuries at Dallas. Through two games, the Falcons have given up a whopping 6.9 yards per play, which ranks 31st. Even if Atlanta goes ahead by double digits here, the back door should be open.