The Indianapolis Colts (2-1, 0-1 away) travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (3-0, 1-0 home) in an AFC vs. NFC battle in Week 4. This will be the first meeting between the two teams close in proximity since 2016.
The kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST at Soldier Field on the bank of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Ill. The Colts are a 3-point road favorite, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Indianapolis Colts
The Colts head to Chicago with a two-game winning streak after dropping their season-opener to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20. The Colts took down the Minnesota Vikings (28-11) and the New York Jets (36-7) and sit one game behind the undefeated Tennessee Titans for first place in the AFC South.
In the offseason, the Colts signed Philip Rivers after 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers organization. Rivers has completed 72-of-92 passes for 794 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Tight end Mo Alie-Cox and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton are Rivers’ primary receiving targets. Alie-Cox has caught ten passes for 181 yards and one touchdown while Hilton has hauled in two passes for 131 yards.
Running back Jonathan Taylor has carried the ball 48 times for 182 yards with a pair of touchdowns. The rookie out of Wisconsin has accounted for almost 50-percent of the carries so far this season.
Indianapolis features the league’s top overall defensive unit that ranked in the top five in nearly all defensive categories. The unit has already scored two defensive touchdowns and picked off six passes.
What to Know – Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are 3-0 for the first time since the 2013 season. Chicago has played three games against opponents who are a combined 1-8 on the year. The Bears are tied with the Green Bay Packers atop the NFC North.
Mitchell Trubisky was replaced midway through last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons by Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles. Foles came in and led the Bears in a come-from-behind victory to preserve the undefeated record and spark the Bears offense. Foles finished 16-for-29 for 188 yards and three touchdowns.
Allen Robinson II is Chicago’sChicago’s go-to guy on the outside. Robinson II has caught 18 of his 31 targets for 230 yards and one touchdown. Anthony Miller (six catches, 117 yards, two touchdowns) and tight end Jimmy Graham (10 catches, 103 yards, three touchdowns) serve as additional options in the passing game for either Foles or Trubisky.
David Montgomery continues to be the leader out of the backfield, with 43 of the team’s 85 carries. Montgomery has rushed for 191 yards and will need to be ready for a larger workload with the season-ending injury to backup running back Tarik Cohen.
Chicago’s defense is down this year compared to the last couple of years of play. The Bears are surrendering 20.7 points and allowing 364.0 yards per game of offense.
The Pick is In
Chicago has a perfect opportunity to beat a quality opponent and quite the disbelievers this weekend. A lot of the talk around the Bears is that they are good but have not had quality competition. Indianapolis will provide that chance this weekend for a quality win. If Foles can throw successfully against a stout Bears defense, that bodes well for the host.
However, we aren’t sure that will happen. We went against the Bears last week and lost, and we are going to do the same again. Take the Colts on the road against the spread in this one.
