Week 12: Bucs vs Bears Picks
Week 12 NFL betting action sees the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking on the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois. Cappers Picks provides free NFL football handicapping tips all season long.
Putting an end to their losing streaks last week, both the Buccaneers and Bears come into this week 12 battle with a little better feeling.
NFL Football Odds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) vs. Chicago Bears (4-6)
Sunday, Nov. 23
1:00 PM ET
Solider Field (Chicago, Illinois)
FOX
NFL Football Betting Lines: Chicago -5.5
NFL Football O/U: 46
***2014 BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]Click here to view today’s… ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
Tampa Bay
Things have not been good for the Buccaneers this season. They rank near the bottom in almost every category in the NFL.
[dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Their pass offense averages just 227.5 yards a game (19th).
Their ground game doesn’t get much better as they are averaging just 85.8 yards rushing (28th). Tampa Bay finally found their passing game in their week 11 27-7 win against the Washington Redskins.
Tampa Bay will bring some Chicago Bear roots with them when they invade Soldier Field on Sunday. Tampa Bay is led by former Bears head coach, Lovie Smith. Smith was fired from the Bears organization two years ago. Leading the Buccaneer offense is former Bears QB Josh McCown.
McCown’s success last week came in large part to his WR Mike Evans. The rookie Wideout has been McCown’s main target all season. Evans has racked up 46 receptions with 794 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tampa Bay’s defense played their best game of the season last week in Washington. Through their first nine games of the season, the Buccaneers allowed 30.2 points a game with just 14 sacks accumulated.
[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
In Sunday’s contest the Bucs defense got to Robert Griffin III six times and forced the Washington offense into three turnovers.
Chicago
Bears head coach Mark Trestman is on the hot seat with his team just 4-6 this year. The finger can be pointed at the Bears defense, who allowed two straight 50 point games. The Bears are allowing 256.4 pass yards per game (25th) and 29.0 points per game. In last weeks victory over the Vikings, the defense finally stepped up and allowed just 243 total yards.
On the offensive side of the ball, QB Jay Cutler’s inconsistency has a major problem. In 10 games this season, Cutler has thrown 12 interceptions and fumbled 7 times. He has thrown 2 interceptions in each of the Bears last two games.
Look for Cutler to find Marshall deep as the Buccaneers pass defense ranks 30th overall, allowing 266.1 pass yards per game.
As far as the running game is concerned, RB Matt Forte is finally finding some rhythm.
[dfads params=’groups=63752&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Forte has rushed for over 100 yards in two of his last three games. Prior to this, he ran for over 100 yards just one time out of the Bears first seven games.
Look for the Bears to establish Forte early as the Buccaneers defense allows 118.2 rush yards per game (22nd).
NFL Football Handicapping Trends:
- Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- Buccaneers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
- Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Bears are 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 home games.
Free 4* NFL Betting Pick: Chicago -5.5
Its been tough all season to lay points with the inconsistent Chicago Bears. That being said, Cutler should be able to pick apart this weak Buccaneers defense and find Brandon Marshall down field.
Chicago 27, Tampa Bay 13
With Forte finding a groove, the Bears should have no problem covering the points here.
Check out our Updated NFL Football Week 11 Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
