Bears Look to Turn it Up a Few Notches Against Bills
By Charles Jay
This was already going to be a make-or-break year for Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone, who is in his second season, because a new ownership group (unknown at this time) is going to take over by the end of the season. But judging from some of the things that have been happening lately, it may end sooner that he was counting on, because tensions seem to be running very high around the Buffalo camp these days. It may be time for the team’s quarterback to show a little bit more as well, so it is with a lot of pressure that the Bills go into the regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, who blew an opportunity to win the NFC North last season but come back with a new-look defense that they hope will help them turn the corner. These teams meet up in pro football betting action that is slated to begin at 1 PM ET at Soldier Field in the Windy City.
The Bears finished even last season at 8-8, and they were woeful against the NFL odds, with the small and mark of 4-10-2. Buffalo was 6-10 in Marrone’s first season, with an 8-8 record against the number.
Last season was Marc Trestman’s first with the Bears, and the team finished second in the NFL in scoring. They also produced twelve games out of 16 that went over the total. Buffalo went out and made some acquisitions to add some speed to the outside, as well as depth to the running game.
In the NFL odds that have been posted on this game by the people at VietBet, the Bears are favored by a touchdown:
Chicago Bears -7 (+100)
Buffalo Bills +7 (-120)
Over 47.5 Points -110
Under 47.5 Points -110
Marrone was an assistant coach at New Orleans before coming to Buffalo, with a stop as head coach at Syracuse University in between. Apparently when he was with the Saints he did not get along with one of the executives, Jim Monos, who is now Buffalo’s director of player personnel, and that ill-will has spilled over. Marrone was seen the other day having some VERY heated exchanges on the practice field, not only with Monos but with other team executives, including the general manager and president of the club. Apparently Marrone also dared them to fire him. As those analyzing the NFL odds can guess, this does not exactly present the ideal atmosphere for this team to start the season with.
EJ Manuel, who was drafted in the first round out of Florida State last season, had a season that was not embarrassing, but still left plenty of questions. Sammy Watkins, the talented wide receiver out of Clemson, was drafted in the first round, but he is dealing with rib injuries right now. Mike Williams was added to the wide receiver corps, so the team should be upgraded at that position, even though Stevie Johnson was dealt the way to San Francisco. They need for CJ Spiller to be good for over 1000 yards this season out of the backfield. On defense, Kiko Alonso was lost with a knee injury, and VietBet customers know that is a huge loss. Safety Jairus Byrd also departed, so getting a big pass rush from people like Mario Williams is critical.
The Bears, of course, have Jay Cutler at quarterback, and they added former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to a wide receiver group that also includes pro bowlers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey. Holmes head injuries last season, but averaged almost 20 yards a catch. This team will be formidable through the air. They did lose the explosiveness of Devin Hester on the kick returns, however, not to mention some key coverage people on special teams.
Trestman’s main concern in the off-season was on defense, as this unit is aging. Veteran Jared Allen was brought aboard, in the hopes that he can bolster the pass rush. Lamar Houston and Willie Young were also added to the defensive line. The Bears should score points, as Cutler is now much more comfortable in Trestman system. The only question is whether they can prevent the other team from crossing the goal line enough.
VietBet has what you are looking for in terms of value in your pro football betting this season, because they give you the best odds, courtesy of their “reduced juice” policy. Great bonuses and lightning-quick payouts should make this one a no-brainer!
