New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds, Analysis and NFL Pick

The New Orleans Saints, possibly the most puzzling team in the NFL this season, are 1-4 both straight up and against the spread over their last five games. The Chicago Bears, equally bad but not quite as puzzling, are 2-5 both SU and ATS over their last seven contests. Two of the lousier bets in football this season meet when the Saints take on the Bears Monday night at Soldier Field.

Point spread: Saints opened as three-point favorites; the total was 54 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (Line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 23.4-15.6 Saints

Why the Saints can cover the spread

After the performance they put on last week against Carolina, it's difficult coming up with reasons to recommend the Saints. New Orleans lost at home to a very mediocre Panthers team 41-10, and it looked totally disinterested in doing so.

But just the week before the Saints had gone up to Pittsburgh and beaten the Steelers 35-32, so they're still capable of doing something right. And the week prior to that, New Orleans led Baltimore late, until giving up a touchdown with less than a minute to go.

On top of all that, even at 5-8 the Saints are tied for first place in the NFC South, and have three winnable games remaining. Finally, New Orleans just beat the Bears last season 26-18, also at Soldier Field.

Why the Bears can cover the spread

The Bears had won two games in a row both SU and ATS, but have lost their last two, after falling at home to Dallas last week 41-28. As with the Saints it's becoming difficult to find silver linings when it comes to Chicago.

The Bears only trailed the Cowboys 14-7 at the half, before letting the game get away in the second half, and just before that they had the same thing happen at Detroit, when they lost an early 14-3 lead.

If Chicago would just put some faith in its running game, quit giving up big plays and keep Jay Cutler from turning the ball over, they could stay right in this one.

Smart Pick

The smartest money when it comes to this contest is probably that which stays in your pocket, because at the moment neither of these teams is worthy of a wager. But New Orleans did beat Chicago last year, and nothing much has changed since then, so the better choice in this spot is the Saints.

Betting Trends

• The total has gone over in four of New Orleans's last six games when playing Chicago
• Chicago is 3-12-1 ATS in its last 16 games at home

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark - follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.