Eagles vs. Bears Spread at Philadelphia -3

Sure the Chicago Bears may have a record of 7-3, same as Philadelphia, but the Eagles vs. Bears spread had the visiting Eagles as -3 favorites.  On top of everything else, very early action on the spread was nearly all going towards Philly.  The total was set at 42 with most of the early action (over 90 percent) on the OVER.  The money line for the Bears would pay out $15.50 for every $10 bet and nearly 85 percent of the early wagering action was on the Bears here.

Philadelphia last week rallied to beat the New York Giants after blowing a 13-point lead.  That helped boost the Eagles as sole leaders atop the NFC East, one game up from the Giants. 

“We knew this game wasn’t going to be like the last one,” said Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.  “We knew we have to deal with adversity.  It’s all about fighting and hanging in there when you have to.”

Vick threw for 258 yards and ran for a score.  The once disgraced quarterback has gone 5-0 so far this season in games where he has started.

“This was a very important game to battle through when a team is coming at you,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid.  “You have to fight and he did.  That’s really what we haven’t seen, and he battled his tail off.”

Meanwhile, The Chicago Bears managed to shut out Miami this past week.  It was the Dolphins second home shut out in 40 years. 

Julius Peppers and the Bears defense allowed only 187 yards and a single third-down conversion.

The win helped the Bears move one game ahead of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.  Chicago still promised better than 2/1 odds to win the NFC North coming into last week’s game.  Their odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl were set at 30/1.

Let’s look at some important betting trends coming into the Eagles vs. Bears game.

The Eagles won on the road against the Bears last season by a 4-point margin, however, Chicago won the previous year at home by the same number. 

The Eagles are 4-0 Against The Spread in their last 4 games as a road favorite of 0.5 to 3.0 points.  They are an even more impressive 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite within this range.  They are 6-1 ATS as a road favorite overall.

The Bears are a similar 4-0 Against The Spread as an underdog of 0.5 to 3.0.  They are 5-1 ATS as an underdog. 

Philadelphia is an impressive 12-4 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning record.  The Bears have not been so lucky.  They are 4-10-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.  (edge:  Eagles)

The Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against the NFC.

The Bears are 5-2 Straight Up following a win. 

Whether Chicago’s poor stats Against The Spread vs. winning teams is enough to give Philadelphia the major edge here is debatable.  What is not debatable is that both these teams entered the regular season with rather low expectations, and both teams are currently performing well above what was initially anticipated from them.

• Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com