Perhaps his fate is already sealed, but Chicago coach Matt Nagy is still fighting to return to the sidelines next season heading into the week 17 Giants at Bears betting matchup. The Bears (5-10) had an inexplicable 25-24 win last week in the snow in Seattle, and now look for just their second two game win streak of the season when the Giants visit Soldier Field on Sunday.
New York meanwhile has dropped four in a row, and at 4-11 they are currently looking at the #5 draft pick. The Giants are in a tough / good spot on Sunday because they also own Chicago’s first round pick which is at #8 right now. It’s a rare situation where a win – or a loss – can improve the Giants draft position, which is really the only thing to look forward to right now.
Giants Limping Home
New York is a +6.5 underdog at Soldier Field on Sunday which seems like a lot of points to be getting against the five win Bears. That being said, there’s not a lot to be optimistic about for the Giants keeping this game close. They are playing their fourth road game in the last five and have dropped four in a row all by double digits.
The Giants lost 34-10 last week at Philadelphia while failing to cover the +11 number. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts was 17/29 with 2 TDs while the Eagles ran for 130 yards against the Giants’ #25 rush defense (125.3). That will be the Bears’ game plan (one would think) on Sunday, try to run the ball on a cold 25° day in the Windy City.
New York has had a QB carousel the last couple weeks after shutting starter Daniel Jones down for the season with a neck injury. Mike Glennon will get the first snaps against his old team the Bears, with rookie Jake Fromm likely to get some action as well. Neither signal caller has been impressive with Glennon throwing 3 INTs against Dallas two weeks ago and Fromm going just 6/17 last week against Philadelphia. Advantage Bears defense in this aspect.
Chicago Turns to Dalton for Some Reason
The Bears picked up a 25-24 win in Seattle last weekend as +7 point underdogs with Nick Foles getting his first start of the season at QB. In true Nagy fashion, the Bears will go away from a healthy Foles and give Andy Dalton the start for no apparent reason. Chicago had a spark with Foles leading them back from a 24-14 deficit in the 4th quarter, on the road, and in the snow – so why would the Bears want that to continue?
Dalton hasn’t played since a 33-22 loss to Arizona in week 13 when he threw 2TDs and 4 INTs. Rookie QB Justin Fields remains sidelined with rib/ankle injuries but one would have to think Dalton is on a short leash on Sunday with how well Foles played last week – then again its the Bears so who knows?
Chicago did give up 170 yards rushing to the Seahawks last week, but New York’s Saquon Barkley (461 yards) isn’t even the team’s leading rusher as that honor goes to Devontae Booker (533) who has started 7 less games. The Bears defense did hold Minnesota under 200 yards in their last home game even though it was a 17-9 loss.
Free NFL Week 17 Giants at Bears Betting Pick
This is a matchup of two bad teams and by default you would give a lean towards the Bears just because they are at home. If Chicago loses this game, there’s not one reason Nagy should even make it back to the locker room before being given his pink slip.
Bears 27 – Giants 13
Free Pick: Bears -6.5
