The Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans wrap up their preseason action on Saturday night in Music City. The Bears have some interesting upside, with Justin Fields coming on as the starting quarterback-in-waiting. Andy Dalton will start games while Fields works his way through the NFL learning curve, but if Dalton plays like he has for the past several seasons, it won’t be long until the Bears fan base is clamoring for the rookie. Tennessee has gotten off to a 2-0 start in this preseason, and the most impressive factor for them has been their defense, as they have permitted six points in those two games (against Atlanta and Tampa Bay).
Let’s look at this showdown from an online NFL betting perspective as you plan your week’s wagering.
NFL Preview: Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (August 28)
When: Saturday, August 28, 2021, 7:00 pm ET
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
TV: NFL Network
Radio: WBBM 780 AM Chicago / WGFX 104.5 FM Nashville
Live Stream: FuboTV
NFL Odds: Chicago -1 / O/U 36
Why should you bet on the Bears?
Chicago was taken to the woodshed by Buffalo in their second preseason game, as the Bills stacked up 347 yards and 41 points. Even so, there were some positive signs for the Bears. Andy Dalton threw for 146 yards and a score (as well as an interception). Justin Fields threw for 80 yards and ran for 46 more, leading the team on the ground, on just four attempts. Jesse James and Rodney Adams had 143 receiving yards combined, with a score.
On defense, Marqui Christian had eight tackles for the Bears, Artie Burns deflected two passes and Mario Edwards Jr had a pair of sacks. The fact that the Bears took such a beating should motivate them in their preseason finale. However, they have covered just once in their last six games as a favorite. An interesting call here is the “over” given how many points Chicago gave up last week. The “over” has carried in five of Chicago’s last seven games — and in 22 of Tennessee’s last 30. Chicago is the favorite here because of the expectation that Fields will play for a considerable portion of the game, but it will be interesting to see what he can do against the Tennessee defense.
Why should you put your money on the Titans?
In their win over Tampa Bay, Tennessee permitted just 207 total yards. Matt Barkely led the offense well enough, throwing two touchdown passes and gaining 115 yards through the air. Logan Woodside came on with 64 passing yards and a score of his own. Tailback Mekhi Sargent showed that the Titans have another option beyond Derrick Henry, running the ball 16 times for 78 yards. Dez Fitzpatrick and Mason Kinsey had 86 combined receiving yards and a pair of scores.
The defense was the real story, as Elijah Molden led the team with eight tackles. Jamal Carter had an interception, and David Long Jr was one of several Titans with a sack. The fact that this unit, after taking so much heat in 2020, only permitted six points in two games so far shows the progress that the team made in the off-season. If you like the Titans, you see them wreaking similar havoc against Justin Fields and the rest of the Chicago offense.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
Fields is going to play against starting defenders for the first time in his young NFL career; for most of the preseason, when he has taken the field, he’s been throwing against third and fourth string players. The point spread is only one point, but given the dominance Tennessee has shown up and down the depth chart in this preseason, I like them to hold the fort against a rebuilding Chicago team. I predict a final score of Titans 23, Bears 13.
NFL Betting Odds
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