Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Green Bay Packers will try to keep their playoff hopes alive with a fourth straight win Sunday when they face the rival Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

The 7-6 Packers trail the first-place Detroit Lions by two games in the NFC North but remain just one game back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card hunt. Green Bay has dominated in three straight wins, twice claiming outright victories as a betting underdog.

The 3-10 Bears are coming off a 20-17 loss in Detroit as 7.5-point underdogs. But Chicago has been solid in recent home dates, posting straight-up wins in three of its past five, including a 26-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers as a one-point underdog two weeks ago.

Point spread: The Packers opened as four-point favorites; the total was 44 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via OddsShark computer: 24.4-20.0, Bears (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Packers can cover the spread

The streaky Packers have resurrected their playoff hopes since losing four straight games. Green Bay has played fundamental football during its win streak, allowing just 12.0 points per game while claiming victory by an average margin of 16.7 points.

Green Bay is a strong 4-1 against the spread in its past five road games against teams with losing records. The Packers dominated in their last contest away from Lambeau Field, topping the Philadelphia Eagles 27-13 as four-point underdogs three weeks ago.

The Packers have been strong down the stretch in recent seasons, going 7-1 SU and ATS in their past eight December outings.

Why the Bears can cover the spread

The Bears have struggled to find the win column this season but have regularly rewarded bettors with ATS wins in four of their past five games. Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its past five home dates, holding opponents to just 14.8 points per game during that stretch.

Chicago has also exceeded oddsmakers' expectations when pegged as a home underdog by six or more points. The Bears have won three of six outright and are 15-5 ATS in their past 20.

The Bears have also risen to the occasion this season in home dates against NFC North rivals, holding the Lions and Minnesota Vikings to just 24 total points in a pair of outright wins as home underdogs.

Smart pick

Green Bay has owned the Bears in recent visits to the Windy City, posting SU and ATS wins in each of their past six matchups. Chicago, though, is 5-1 ATS in its past six games overall, including three home games.

Look for Green Bay to claim the SU win but struggle to cover at Soldier Field this weekend.

Betting trends

The Packers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games against the Bears.

The total has gone under in 13 of the Packers' last 18 games against the Bears.

The Bears are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as underdogs.

All NFL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.