NFL Thursday Night Football: Washington Commanders at Chicago Bears Betting Preview

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL – 1:15 AM – Friday 14th October

I highly commend you if you stayed up until 4:00 am watching that last week. Thursday Night Football between the Broncos and Colts was rough, but it literally cannot get any worse this week can it? Now, time to check the schedule and see what the NFL has in store for us this week… oh for God’s sake.

Well here we go, two of the worst offences in the NFL battling it out in prime time – let’s get into the big matchup between the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears.

Commanders at Bears Odds

Bears to win outright: 10/11 with Unibet
Commanders to win outright: 10/11 with Unibet
Spread: Chicago Bears +1.5 – 5/6 with 888Sport
Points Total: 38 (Over: 22/25 | Under – 9/10) – With BetUK

(Odds correct as of 3:00 pm 12/10)

The Commanders are on a grim three-game losing streak, with last week being about as tough as it gets. Washington outgained the Tennessee Titans 385 to 241, and completely nullified Ryan Tannehill, but then Carson Wentz did what Carson Wentz does at the worst possible time. They were at the Tennessee two-yard line, late in the fourth quarter needing a touchdown to win, and Wentz threw a pick. Ron Rivera threw his quarterback under the bus after the game, and it seems as if the wheels are falling off already in Washington. A loss here could make his position untenable. For a second straight week WR Jahan Dotson, TE Logan Thomas and OT Samuel Cosmi are out for Washington, who are undoubtedly big misses. 

TNF heads to Chicago 🔥

🏈: @Commanders vs. @ChicagoBears | #TNFonPrime
⏰: Thursday 7 PM ET, only on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/GrCRUmvaeG

— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 11, 2022

The best way I can describe what it’s like watching the Bears this season is the following: Justin Fields is on pace to throw for fewer yards and touchdowns than 1949 Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack, who only played 12 games. No, seriously.

The Bears managed to make it close last week against the Vikings last week after going down 21-3 early in the game, but never really looked like winning it, and while Matt Eberfluss continues to run this prehistoric offence, they will always struggle to overturn deficits. Somehow, if Chicago wins here, they will go to 3-3 on the season, which reflects incredibly badly on the teams they’ve played more than anything else. 

It has to be said, both teams are decent on the defensive side of the ball, and anyone that’s predicting loads of points needs their heads checked. The Commanders have been woeful against the pass this season, but that shouldn’t be a problem against Fields and the Bears, whereas they have been a top-10 unit against the run. The Bears’ pass defence has been mostly good, but got torched by the Vikings last week, while their run D has been one of the worst in the league. In short, these two teams are not good football teams.

Commanders at Bears Best Bets

Moneyline: Chicago Bears
Spread: Chicago Bears +1.5
Over/Under: Under 38 points

I was surprised to see the Commanders favoured for this one. They are on a losing streak, confidence is low, and their quarterback is getting pelters from his own coach. The Bears have shown themselves to be a gritty team this year, playing tough and creating turnovers at opportune moments. I’m going with the Bears to cover the spread in a tight game.

As for the points total, there was no way on god’s green earth I was ever taking anything other than the under. These offences are just both so bad, and this game could be a real slog. Both team’s punter and kicker should expect a fair amount of work.

Commanders at Bears Prop Bets

Justin Fields Over 41.5 Rushing Yards – 17/20 with BetVictor

This is going to be a run-fest. Both teams will want to pound the rock a lot, and for the Bears, that will start with Justin Fields. While Washington is good against the run, I don’t think they are a particularly well-coached side, and that could mean Fields getting loose on an option play or a scramble. 

Brian Robinson Anytime Touchdown – 9/4 with BoyleSports

It was awesome to see Robinson make his debut last week, who just six weeks ago was shot twice in an armed robbery. The third-round pick had an incredibly impressive senior year and Alabama, and seems to have overtaken Antonio Gibson as the RB1 for the commanders. He struggled to get going a bit last week against the Titans, but I can see him hitting paydirt in prime time this week.

Carson Wentz Over 0.5 Interceptions – 17/20 with 888Sport

Don’t really think much needs to be said on this one. Carson Wentz throws picks like it’s going out of fashion and the odds are quite nice here considering. 

Over 3.5 Total Successful Field Goals – 6/5 with BetUK

As I have said on multiple occasions in this article, these offences are not good. Four field goals in the match being on the right side of evens is very enticing if it’s the low-scoring game that we’re all expecting. 

Safety Scored Anytime – 45/4 with Bet365

Consider this our ‘fun’ bet of the game. If you’re going to put yourselves through watching this game until 4:00 am on a weeknight, at least cheer for chaos. The reasoning isn’t totally ridiculous either, as we’ve said, both offences are bad, and both teams have players that can get after the quarterback.