Gear up for another weekend of NFL action! Make sure to check in with BettingPros throughout the year for top picks and predictions for each and every NFL game. Our writers dive into their favorite picks and predictions for every remaining game on this weekend’s NFL slate. And let’s take a closer look at Panthers vs. Bears.
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NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Panthers vs. Bears
There's uncertainty under center for Chicago, as Justin Fields has been limited in practice and could return from a thumb injury that's kept him out the last few weeks. If Fields doesn't go, Tyson Bagent would make another start. And while Bagent has been able to move the offense in spurts, he's extremely turnover-prone, which is to be expected from an undrafted free agent getting his first shot in the pros. Regardless of who's under center for Chicago, I do suspect we'll see some points for a change in a primetime game. Both Chicago and Carolina's defenses rank bottom-10 in defensive EPA, pressure rate, and points allowed per game. While Carolina's offense struggles to do much of anything well, a lot of that has been due to Bryce Young struggling under pressure. However, Chicago ranks dead-last in the league in pressure rate and dead-last in pass defense EPA. That should mean cleaner pockets and more opportunities downfield for the No. 1 overall pick. On the flip side, Chicago's ground game, which ranks second in EPA, should run wild against a Panthers run defense that ranks 29th in EPA. Carolina will also be without its top pass rusher, Brian Burns, due to a concussion. To top it off, both Carolina and Chicago have allowed opponents to score a touchdown on 75% of their red zone trips, while their offenses rank 16th and 7th respectively in red zone offense. Primetime unders are hitting at an unbelievable rate, but this one has the makings to buck that trend.
Pick: Over 39
-Matt Barbato
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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