Sunday, October 4, 2020, Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, 1 p.m. ET
Colts at Bears Betting Preview: Colts (-2.5, -110), Bears (+2.5/-110)
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are feeling good after back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets, and they will try to make it three in a row when they make the short trip north to Chicago’s lakefront this weekend. Indianapolis looked particularly dominant last week during a 36-7 rout over the Jets.
Philip Rivers provides a steady hand at quarterback, but it is the Colts’ defense that has helped to set the team apart in the early going. Indianapolis is No. 1 in the league in total defense, allowing just 225.3 yards per game, and the Colts are a threat to force multiple takeaways in any given contest.
Last week against New York, Indianapolis registered two sacks and three interceptions against opposing quarterback Sam Darnold.
Both of the Colts’ victories have come at home this season. They are 0-1 on the road as they head to Chicago.
Chicago Bears
Don’t look now, but the Bears are 3-0 for the first time since 2013, and they are one of only seven unbeaten teams in the NFL. Chicago has stayed perfect in the standings despite showing some warts on both sides of the ball. Each of their wins has come by four points.
The Bears might have turned a corner in last week’s comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Matt Nagy pulled starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and replaced him with veteran Nick Foles, who engineered a dramatic comeback with three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. The starting job is now Foles’ to lose, starting with this week against the Colts.
Indianapolis has a much better defense than Atlanta, so Foles will have his hands full to try to get the Bears to score points. Chicago’s defense also needs to tighten up with Rivers & Co. coming in to town.
Colts at Bears Betting Pick for Week 4
The Bears keep winning, yet they keep getting listed as underdogs the following week. That is true again as the Colts are favored by nearly a field goal heading into their Week 4 matchup.
The smart bet typically favors the home underdog, but the Bears have been highly fortunate to win each of their games so far this season. Foles might be the NFL’s best backup quarterback, but his appeal could diminish as a full-time starter going up against a top-tier defense.
Another close game seems all but inevitable. In the end, the Colts could emerge because they know how to protect the ball on offense and take it away on defense.
Colts at Bears Betting Pick:
Colts 24, Bears 20
Colts at Bears Best Bet for Week 4
The Colts have scored the first touchdown in each of their first three games, including their Week 1 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Two of those opening touchdowns have come on offense, while one has come on a pick-six by Indianapolis cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
The Bears’ offense typically is slow to warm, and Indianapolis will come out fresh on defense. For all of those reasons, it is worth an investment to see if the Colts score the first TD.
Colts at Bears Best Bet: COLTS first touchdown (-125)
