Written by :
Published on :
The Bears-Saints line opened Sunday evening at New Orleans -6.5 even though Chicago upset Atlanta at home in Week 1 and New Orleans lost in Green Bay on Thursday. Note that Brian Urlacher was attending to a family matter and may not play on Sunday. The line remained at -6.5 immediately following this news. Please review latest updates at Gambling911.com Twitter and other news venues.
The reigning Super Bowl champions Green Bay Packers beat New Orleans 42-34.
ESPN.com noted:
The Saints chose poorly when they decided to run the ball against a short-yardage formation on the final play of the game. Last season, the Saints finished as the worst rushing team in the NFL against short-yardage defenses. Giving the ball to rookie Mark Ingram on Thursday didn't improve matters.
The 28 points allowed by the Saints are the 3rd-most allowed in a Week 1 game (or first game of the season) in team history.
As for the Bears 30-12 win over Atlanta at home Sunday afternoon, the bookies all had smiles on their faces when that game concluded. The betting public was backing Atlanta heavily on both the spread and money line.
"Big for us," receiver Roy Williams had to say about the win. "Big confidence booster for us as a football team. We knew what we can do offensively. We knew what we can do defensively. But to put it together, especially against a good football team in Atlanta, shows what kind of football team we have."
The Bears defense sacked Matt Ryan five times, including a fumble that was returned by Brian Urlacher for a touchdown.
Three teams in the NFC North enjoyed wins during Week 1 with Minnesota nearly beating San Diego on the road as well. The Bears were an underdog to win that division.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
