Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks will go for their first win of the season in their home opener and try to extend a seven-game losing streak for the reeling Chicago Bears on Sunday. Both teams are winless, but the Seahawks have dropped their first two games on the road, while the Bears have lost two at home and will be without starting quarterback Jay Cutler due to a hamstring injury.

Point spread: The Seahawks opened as 14-point favorites; the total was 45 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 29.2-15.2 Seahawks

Why the Bears can cover the spread

It’s hard to make a case for Chicago in this spot with Cutler hurt and top wide receiver Alshon Jeffery banged up. But the Bears are getting a lot of points here, and backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen may even be able to handle the noise at CenturyLink Field better than Cutler because he will run a more conservative offense.

There’s no doubt Chicago is one of the worst teams in the NFL right now, and Seattle remains one of the league’s best despite failing to win or cover one of its first two games. However, new Bears head coach John Fox knows the Seahawks well from his time with the Denver Broncos, who played them tough in an overtime loss on the road just last season in the Super Bowl rematch from the year before. That familiarity could be enough for Fox to prevent Chicago from getting blown out too badly.

Why the Seahawks can cover the spread

Seattle's defense plays on another level at home and gets to face the perfect opponent here, one that is struggling immensely and wounded. Like a shark that smells blood in the water, the Seahawks should be able to feast on the Bears sans Cutler.

Offensively, this team needs to limit turnovers, something that should not be a problem against Chicago’s defense. Seattle is still trying to figure out a way to incorporate All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham more into the passing game as well, and this could end up being his breakout performance with his new team after coming over in a trade from the New Orleans Saints this past offseason.

Smart pick

The Seahawks are 3-1-1 against the spread in their past five games as double-digit favorites, with all of them coming at home. The Bears are no match for Seattle here and will not be able to generate enough offense to give themselves a chance to cover.

Chicago is 2-5 versus the line in losing its past seven games dating back to last year, and Fox does not have the talent he did with the Broncos to make this a competitive game.

Betting trends

The total has gone over in the Bears’ last eight games against the Seahawks.

The Bears are 0-7 straight up in their last seven games.

The Seahawks are 0-4 ATS in their last four games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates, and get the free odds tracker app.