Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders Preseason Odds & Pick: August 21 2010

Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders
Preseason Pick: Oakland Raiders +1 -110 odds
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Chicago should be out to prove something tonight as it was pretty embarrassed in its preseason opener in San Diego last week. The first string on both sides saw very limited action and we will see that increase on Saturday. This is especially true with the offense which is installing a new scheme under offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

Jay Cutler is the centerpiece and last week he gave everyone a little preview of what he could do in the Bears offense. He was only on the field for one series while throwing two passes, both resulting in completions for 47 yards.

The problem is that there is no one after Cutler at quarterback as Caleb Hanie went down last week after playing very well. After Cutler is rookie Dan LeFevour who looked like a rookie and a bad one at that and newly signed Matt Gutierrez. Oakland played very well defensively against the Cowboys and facing a team that is putting in a new system is difficult, but early in the preseason it favors the defensive side of the ball.

Raiders head coach Tom Cable stated that after Jason Campbell reaches his quota of snaps, Kyle Boller would come in and Brennan will have mop up duty. This gives the Raiders a big edge in the quarterback rotation as Campbell and Boller are both veteran quarterbacks. “It’s a great opportunity,” Boller said. “Each day, each week, I feel more and more comfortable, getting to know the guys, getting to know the offense. It’s gone really well.”

Cable is hoping for more out of his first-team offense than the 29 yards it gained in 12 plays in the first quarter at Dallas. “I want to see us throw some completions and get some continuity in it,” he said. “See if we can put some drives together. Three or four more completions from last week I think I’d feel pretty good about it. I’d like to see some of the guys make some of those catches that we’re seeing in practice. And of course continue to protect the quarterback for sure.”

While the value seems to be on the home team here because the number is under the normal line of a field goal, I feel the value is the other way. The public is all over the Bears in this one yet the line has moved in the other direction and that is always a trigger to look at this line movement and go with the movement. 3* Oakland Raiders