![Bears-at-Saints-(FOX) Bears-at-Saints-(FOX)](https://sas.suplitodomedia.com/articles_images/BookMaker/Bears-at-Saints-(FOX).jpg)
The Bears have also exceeded expectations in the earlygoing with a 3-4 record. The loss of Aaron Rodgers has made the Packers much less formidable in the NFC North, although Chicago still figures to be an afterthought in the division. However, Mitchell Trubisky has reinvigorated this team and the Bears would love to get to .500 by pulling out the upset win.
Watch this regular season Week 8 matchup live on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chicago Bears +9
New Orleans Saints -9
Over/Under 48
Odds Analysis
The Saints are heavy favorites at home even though Chicago has been pretty competitive in most of its games this season. New Orleans is really going to need to play well in order to cover this spread, but more than 54 percent of the betting action is on the Saints to do so.
Chicago’s defense has been quite strong this season but it’s not easy against this explosive Saints offense. That’s why the scoring total is still pretty high for this showdown. The “under” has been the more popular choice early in the week.
Injury Report
Willie Snead -- The Saints wide receiver was suspended early in the season and has been dealing with a hamstring injury in the ensuing weeks. He was tabbed to be the team’s No. 2 wide receiver but has only one catch for 11 yards this season. He could play in this one and hopes to finally make an impact in 2017.
Markus Wheaton -- The speedster is dealing with a groin injury and it’s unknown if he will be healthy enough to play in this one. The Bears are really thin at wide receiver and could need to rely on the passing game late if the Saints jump out to a lead. Wheaton would be a boost so check to see his availability as the week progresses.
Benny Cunningham -- The Bears’ running back missed last week with a hamstring injury. He’s not relied on a ton in the backfield since Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen gobble up most of the carries, but Cunningham is used in specific packages and in the return game. If he doesn’t play, it won’t affect the spread, but he is a guy with some big-play ability.
Matchup to Watch
New Orleans offense vs. Bears defense -- Chicago was great on defense last time out, as rookie safety Eddie Jackson had a pair of defensive touchdowns to lead the Bears to a 17-3 upset of the Panthers. The Bears will get a tougher test in this one against Saints star quarterback Drew Brees.
Brees has thrown for 1,652 yards this season with 11 touchdowns against four interceptions. New Orleans is averaging 28.5 points per game on the season, which is fourth-best in the NFL. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara are in a timeshare at running back.
The Saints had Adrian Peterson as well but traded him to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round draft pick. Even though a lot of the faces have changed over the years, the presence of Brees has always made this offense dangerous.
Free ATS Pick
The Saints are the better team but the Bears are playing well. This spread seems a little too high even though the game is in New Orleans. Choose the Saints to win this one but Chicago should make it uncomfortable.
The Bears are the choice to cover the spread, and the under is the call on the scoring total. The Bears aren’t quite ready to become a legitimate playoff hopeful but they are certainly making strides in the right direction.
NFL Odds: Bengals 27, Colts 13
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook