Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: Monday Night Football Preview and Pick

The NFL betting week comes to a conclusion Monday night as the 2-0 Chicago Bears host the 2-0 Green Bay Packers for sole lead in the NFC North. Despite Chicago's impressive start, Vegas has the point spread for this game at Green Bay -3.

The Bears weren't expected to do much this season; after all, the odds-makers set their season wins totals at eight. However, after last weekend's 27-20 victory over the Cowboys in Dallas, many in the Windy City are believing.

NFL bettors, on the other hand, are a little more cautious. An overwhelming 81 percent of the point spread bettors at Sportsbook.com are backing the Packers.

Whereas Chicago's fast start may surprise some, everyone expected Green Bay to explode off the gates. In their season-opener, they went on the road in front of the always-tough Philly crowd and beat the Eagles by a touchdown.

Then last week, the Cheeseheads throttled the lowly Buffalo Bills, 34-7. No matter the sport, bettors always remember teams that padded their bankrolls. Considering the Packers were one of the most popular point-spread bets in each of the first two weeks, it isn't surprising that the public is pounding them again.

From a historic matchup, the Packers have owned Chicago, especially when playing at Soldier Field. As a matter of fact, the last 18 Chicago hosted the Packers, Green Bay covered the spread 13 times and had 14 outright victories.

Another concern for Chicago bettors could be a letdown. Often when teams pull off a huge upset, the following week they can come out flat. The Bears haven't been friendly to bettors over the last few years after winning two in a row. The last six times this happened, the Bears covered the spread just once.

Considering the opposing quarterbacks under center, this game is destined to turn into a shootout; hence the 46.5 point 'total.'

Chicago QB Jay Cutler currently leads the NFL in passer rating (121.2) to go along with five touchdowns to just one pick. However, no one has ever questioned his talent, just his mental toughness and consistency.

Additionally, the Vanderbilt product will be facing one of the NFL's stingiest pass defenses. Through the first two games, the Packers rank third in pass defense (117 yards per game), while averaging five sacks per game.

In 2009, the Packers' defense gave Cutler fits; he threw six interceptions in their two meetings.

The Packers' QB will most likely have an easier go of it Monday night. Aaron Rodgers will face a Chicago defense that gives up 261 yards through the air, bad enough for 27th in the league.

Oddsauthority.com Monday Night Football Pick: Packers -3

(Odds courtesy of Sportsbook.com)

Hats off to the Bears for getting off to an impressive start; however, they come back to Earth Monday night. Rodgers will out-duel Cutler en route to a seven-point Packers victory.