TheGreen Bay Packershave dominated their rivalry with theChicago BearssinceAaron Rodgershas led the green-and-gold offense, but Chicago went 12-4 last year, qualified for the playoffs and returns the top-ranked defense. Green Bay has a new head coach and new outlook, and the two NFC hopefuls face off in the 2019NFLKickoff Game on Thursday night at 8: 20 p.m. ET from Soldier Field. Matt LaFleur takes over as head coach in Green Bay, while Matt Nagy enters his second year in Chicago after a successful rookie campaign. The latest Packers vs. Bears odds show Chicago as a three-point favorite, down from the opening line of -4. The over-under, or total points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 46.5 after opening at 46. In the 17-year history of the NFL Kickoff Game, the home team has won 14 times. You’ll want to see the latest Bears vs. Packers picks and 2019 NFL predictions from SportsLine’s top NFL expert, R.J. White, before locking in your own.
White has been SportsLine’s top pro football analyst for two-plus seasons. Over that span, the CBS Sports NFL editor and nationally-recognizedNFL Draftexpert has gone 214-164 onNFL picksagainst the spread, returning more than $3,200 to $100 bettors. And nobody has figured out the Packers like White. He’s hit on 24 of his last 28 picks involving Green Bay, an astonishing 86 percent success rate.
The stats guru, whose picks are coveted by fans everywhere, has cashed huge in the world’s most prestigious handicapping tournament, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, twice in the past four years, and anyone who has followed his lead has reaped huge rewards.
Now, White has locked in on Packers vs. Bears in the 2019 NFL Kickoff game. He’s only sharing his pick at SportsLine.
White knows that after years of mediocrity, the Bears broke through last year with a dominant defense and resilient second-year quarterback under Nagy. Chicago went 12-4, won the NFC North, and was within oneCody Parkeydouble-tap of reaching the divisional round of the playoffs. Now, Chicago has adopted the motto “Chasing Great” this year with much of the same cast back. The Bears have covered their last seven games against NFC North competition and nine of 11 overall.
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubiskyhas 31 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over the last two seasons, but he’s been at his best against the Packers. He passed for 297 yards in his fifth-ever start in 2017 and last year helped snap a five-game losing streak to Green Bay with 297 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. He’s never been picked off by the Pack in three starts.
But just because Chicago should be improved offensively and still strong on defense doesn’t mean it will cover the Bears vs. Packers spread on Thursday night.
The Packers went just 6-9-1 a year ago thanks to inconsistencies on both sides of the ball. However, they were aggressive in free agency to shore up the defense, while the offense should get a boost with new head coach Matt LaFleur in the mix. LaFleur, the offensive coordinator of the high-poweredRamsin 2017, also tutoredFalconsquarterbackMatt Ryanto the MVP in 2016, andRobert Griffin IIIto Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012. Now, he’ll work with two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
This is the fourth time the Packers and Bears have faced off in prime time to open a season. Green Bay has won the previous three meetings, including last year’s 24-23 comeback victory on Sunday Night Football. The Packers have not just beaten Chicago, they’ve dominated, covering in 12 of the last 17 meetings and 16 of their last 21 trips to Soldier Field.
White has broken down the depth charts of both teams. We can tell you he’s leaning under, but he’s also unearthed the critical x-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. You can see what it is, and which team to back, only at SportsLine.
Who wins Packers vs. Bears? And what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back?Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Packers vs. Bears spread you should jump on Thursday, all from the top NFL expert who’s 24-4 on Packers picks.
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