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The oldest rivalry in the NFL renews when Chicago visits Green Bay in Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season. Betting odds on the Bears vs. Packers opened at Green Bay -3 at Sports Interaction.com.
"Barring injuries we were not anticipating this line moving much," says Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.
Both teams are expected to improve and, in some regard, the Packers were potentially going to be the better team in the 2009 NFC North.
The Bears had slightly shorter odds (+184 vs. Green Bay's +200 or 2/1). The Minnesota Vikings actually had the shortest odds at +162.
"This is far from the best division in the league but it is considered among the most competitive," says Shapiro.
While the offense improved a bit last season for the Bears, their defense is showing signs of deteriorating somewhat. They will also have to do without two-time All-Pro safety Mike Brown and this places a huge hole in the secondary. The Bears must also find a pass rush to succeed.
Another concern is that the receiving corps is a little suspect.
Still, experts and fans alike point to the acquisition of Jay Cutler from Denver as a franchise quarterback who is capable of delivering results for a Bears team that managed a 9-7 record last year despite a rather inconsistent quarterback showing.
Those expecting Jay Cutler to immediately transform the Bears into anything resembling a pass-happy offense had better be patient. As Cutler was inconsistent in his Chicago preseason debut, the Buffalo Bills' passing game was nearly unstoppable and received plenty of help from an opportunistic defense in a 27-20 victory Saturday night.
The Packers relied heavily on draft picks to improve their roster. That alone might not get the job done during the 2009 NFL regular season. This was a team that went 6-10 last year. The Packers are counting on a revamped 3-4 defense to get them back in the playoff mix again.
We will have more on the Bears vs. Packers betting odds as Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season gets closer. But for now, you can place your bets early here at Sports Interaction. Get a 15 percent PRESEASON cash bonus when you open an online betting account at Sports Interaction here now. Offer is for a limited time only!
Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
