Two struggling teams meet up in the NFL week 8 Chargers at Bears free pick. This is probably a more important game for Chicago though because a) they are at home and b) the rest of the NFC North is already pulling away. LA looks really uninspired as of late and this could be the game Matt Nagy needs to get his team back on track. Oddsmakers have set Chicago as a -3.5 favorite.
Where Is the Chargers Offense?
Could Chicago legitimately pitch a shutout in the NFL week 8 Chargers at Bears free pick? Los Angeles has scored more than 20 points just once in the last six games – and that came against the lowly Dolphins. Phillip Rivers and the Chargers passing game isn’t the explosive threat that it used to be, even though LAC is 3rd in the league in yards per game through the air.
Rivers does have back-to-back 320 yard passing games, but a lot of that has been in garbage time as he’s faced deficits of 24 and 10 points in the 4th quarter vs. Pittsburgh and Tennessee. Melvin Gordon III hasn’t done anything since ending his holdout, rushing 16 times for just 32 yards a week ago. Keenan Allen is also battling a hamstring injury which doesn’t help the Chargers situation. LA will get T Russell Okung back on Sunday for the first time this season though, but it’s still looking like a good day for the Bears defense. The total is just 40.5 in this one.
The reason why the hook looms large with LA being a +3.5 underdog at Soldier Field is because the Bears offense is one of the worst in the league. The Chargers defense is very underrated, ranking 11th in the league in total yards allowed that includes 5th against the pass. Chicago has no run game – at all – and a frazzled young quarterback. Could Joey Bosa and the Chargers be a nice +163 ML play?
Home Field Dis-Advantage for Chicago?
Usually being at home is supposed to favor a team but the Soldier Field faithful are starting to grow antsy. The bloom is starting to come off the rose for Nagy and especially QB Mitch Trubisky. Chicago needs a fast start in the NFL week 8 Chargers at Bears free pick or things are going to get awkward.
It’s not like the fans aren’t warranted in their concerns with the team. Trubisky returned from a shoulder injury in week 7 to go 34/54 for 251 and 2 TD. Not a bad stat line, but most of that yardage and both the scores came with the Saints holding a 36-10 lead with under 5 minutes left in the 4th. What’s not a good stat line is the fact that Tarik Cohen was the Bears leading rusher vs. New Orleans – with 10 yards on 3 carries. The Bears were coming off a bye with 2 weeks to prepare for the Saints which makes things more frustrating in the Windy City. Chicago comes into Sunday’s game ranking 29th in total yards on offense as well as 29th in the pass, 28th in rushing and 26th in points scored.
The Bears defense was also roughed up at home by New Orleans but it’s hard to blame them as the Saints held a 37:26 to 22:34 time of possession advantage. That was the story in the Raiders 24-21 win in London over the Bears as well. Oakland held a 34:43 to 25:17 TOP edge. Chicago held four straight opponents to 15 points or less to start the year and do have the potential to completely shut down the Chargers – but they need some help from their own offense.
NFL Week 8 Chargers at Bears Free Pick
One would think that Chicago gets their act together today. LA has been very uninspired pretty much since week one and going to the Midwest for a 1:00 EST start doesn’t help things. The Bears just have so many issues though, specifically in the trenches. The loss of Akiem Hicks has really hurt the Bears defense and LAC might actually get a run game on Sunday. Chicago hasn’t shown the ability to counter on offense which will doom them in this one.
Pick: LA Chargers +3.5
