Bears at Colts NFL Betting Odds

NFL odds for Week 1 should be interesting as a rematch of Super Bowl XLI occurs when the Indianapolis Colts host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 7th on NBC. Last year the Bears struggled to a 7-9 season both straight up and against the NFL betting odds. The quarterback position was a mess and the running game wasn’t much better. Even the defense slipped for the Bears in 2007. The Bears will be counting heavily on rookie running back Matt Forte and a rebound season from quarterback Rex Grossman.

Chicago also picked up running back Kevin Jones from Detroit and he could improve the running attack. The Bears are always exciting though, as they have super return man Devin Hester. The star wide receiver and return specialist from Miami University, Hester is listed at +1600 in NFL odds to win the MVP award. Chicago really was fortunate to win seven games in 2007 as their overall statistics were poor. The offense was 27th in total yards but ranked 18th in points scored, mainly due to Hester. The defense was weak, ranking 28th in yards allowed and 16th in points allowed.

The Indianapolis Colts had an excellent regular season going 13-3 straight up and 9-7 versus the NFL odds. In the playoffs they were upset by the San Diego Chargers, ruining their chance of defending their Super Bowl crown. The Colts have won at least 12 games in five straight seasons. They could easily do so again in 2008. The Colts are led on offense by quarterback Peyton Manning and on defense by safety Bob Sanders. Last year the Colts offense ranked 3rd in the NFL for points scored. The defense was even better, ranking first in the league in points allowed. Peyton Manning is expected to bring the Colts to another AFC championship game and possibly another Super Bowl.

The Colts were 5-3 versus the NFL odds at home last season. In terms of over/unders they were 4-4 at home. Chicago was 4-4 versus the NFL betting odds on the road last season and 4-4 in terms of over/unders on the road. The two teams met in Super Bowl XLI with the Colts winning 29-17.

Bears at Colts Week 1 Betting Prediction

The Bears displayed an awful all around offensive and defensive attack during the NFL schedule last season that kept points off the board, opportunity on the bench and have really done nothing to give “Da Bears” faithful something to cheer about this year. The Colts on the other hand are poised to claim the AFC South and are in contention to lift the Lombardi trophy once again. Indianapolis will still have the fire power of Manning, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark but have also brought back Dominic Rhodes and added Mike Pollak in the offseason.

The Colts are a team to fear in NFL betting odds this year. There will be many lop sided NFL odds due to the Colts ability to put up plenty of points but I don’t believe this NFL week 1 game is one of them. The Colts are currently -9 point favorites in NFL odds for week 1 but I expect that to go up around 11 or 12 before game day so a good bet would be to move a few early units on the Colts -9 before the line changes.