The Chicago Bears (3-5, 1-3 away) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3, 2-2 home) in prime-time on Monday Night Football to cap off Week 9 of NFL action. Chicago aims to snap a three-game losing streak while the hosts look to run their winning streak to four games.
Monday’s kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. EST at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh is a 7-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 39 points.
What to Know – Chicago Bears
The Bears own a 19-7-1 all-time record against the Steelers, including winning the last three interconference matchups. Chicago will try and get back in the win column for the first time in nearly a month after consecutive losses that has put head coach Matt Nagy on the hot seat.
Chicago ranks last in the league in passing offense, throwing for 127.4 yards per game with rookie quarterback Justin Fields under center. The Bears are sixth on the ground, churning out 136.6 yards per contest.
Fields continues to adjust to life under center in the NFL. The first-round pick has completed 94-of-159 of his passes for 991 yards with three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Fields had his best game rushing last week against San Francisco, carrying the ball ten times for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Chicago is 3-5 against the spread this season and 1-3 ATS on the road. The Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Steelers.
What to Know – Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh has found new life after a 1-3 start and now sit just one game back of the AFC North standings. The Steelers knocked off rival Cleveland last week, 15-10, playing the second half without their placekicker. Pittsburgh’s three victories in a row have come by a combined 14 points.
The Steelers rank 17th in the NFL in passing offense, throwing for 244.4 yards per game behind the veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. On the ground, Pittsburgh ranks 28th in rushing, averaging 86.0 yards per game.
Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,781 yards and completed 65.1% of his passes. The 18-year veteran has eight touchdown passes and four interceptions this year.
Rookie running back Najee Harris is emerging as one of the best offensive players in the 2021 NFL draft. Harris is a true all-purpose back, racking up 479 yards rushing and 273 yards through the air.
Pittsburgh is 3-4 ATS this year and 1-3 ATS at home. The Steelers have a 1-4 record ATS in their last five games against teams from the NFC.
The Pick is In
An MNF classic between two of the oldest franchises in the NFL is on tap, with the Bears and Steelers facing off for the first time since 2017. The contest won’t be an offensive shootout but should turn into a defensive battle between two of the worst offenses in the NFL.
Pittsburgh isn’t going to blow anyone out due to their lack of offensive firepower, and the Bears can keep the chains moving if they continue to open up the offense for Fields and let him use his legs. Pittsburgh will win, but this one will be another close contest in Steel City.
Betting Pick: Chicago Bears +7
