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After pushing on yesterdays play on Akron, lets hope this one will cash. Be advised, this is a very tough weekend in my opinion so buyer beware.
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BUFFALO (2 - 2) at CHICAGO (4 - 0)
Week 5 Sunday, 10/8/2006 1:00 PM
vs. 
Analysis
This is a very intriguing game from a handicapper’s perspective because of a line that is totally off wall. The Bears opened up as an 8 point favorite, and within days the line was bet up to 10 and 10.5 in some shops. Since 1991, the Bears have been favored by more than ten points twice (they didn't cover either time) and only once, against the awful 49ers last year, since 1995. That being said…is anybody really interested in laying doubles with a team that never does. The Bills (2-2 SU & 3-1 ATS) have holes on the team, but they are playing well. A big break helped the Bills preserve a 17-12 victory over the Vikings last weekend. . Despite the win, the Bills had trouble moving the ball managing only to score 17 points. The Bills have not scored more then 20 points all season in a game and it won't get any easier coming to Chicago where the Bears have held their opponents to 10 points or less in their last eight home games at Soldier Field. Critics of this Buffalo team point to its undersized and inexperienced defensive unit. The defense used rookie safeties Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson in the opener. Despite that inexperience, Chicago doesn’t have the passing attack to really exploit this weakness. Meanwhile, The Bears (4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS) have so much speed and depth on defense, they are allowing 7.3 points and are No. 4 in total defense led by line backer Brian Urlacher (the reigning Defensive Player of the Year). The Bears ideally blitz about 30 percent of the time and outscore opponents by a 29-7 average. QB Rex Grossman is opening things up more and has good targets in WR Muhsin Muhammad and speedy WR Bernard Berrian. The Bears are off a 37-6 demolition of the Seattle Seahawks as Grossman completed 17 of 31 passes for 232 yards.
For arguments sake I’m not going to dispute the fact that the Bears have looked dominant throughout the early part of the NFL season. Despite that fact, this is not a team that I or anybody else should be confident in laying double digits. Moreover, there is a very interesting motivational factor here for the Bills head coach Dick Lauron. If you recall, coach Jauron used to coach the Bears and Bills general manager, Marv Levy, is from Chicago, which give both plenty of incentive for this non-conference matchup. Jauron will want to make a statement to his former employer, “You Fired Me” and will bring a primed Bills team that will keep it simple and stand toe-to-toe in a game of field position with the Bears, who are off a semi-short week following the Seattle game on Sunday night, which Jauron’s Bills staff was watching intently hours after winning the home game against Minnesota last Sunday afternoon. I like that angle, and I also will note that the Bills offensive and defensive coordinators are familiar with the Lovie Smith systems have worked under him, and I like how prepared this Buffalo team will be this Sunday. The Bills have shown the ability to keep games close so despite stepping up in class, I look for a hard-fought defensive struggle and a Buffalo cover
Verdict: CHI Bears 14, BUF Bills 10
OPINION SELECTION ON BUFFALO +10
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BUFFALO (2 - 2) at CHICAGO (4 - 0)
Week 5 Sunday, 10/8/2006 1:00 PM
vs. Analysis
This is a very intriguing game from a handicapper’s perspective because of a line that is totally off wall. The Bears opened up as an 8 point favorite, and within days the line was bet up to 10 and 10.5 in some shops. Since 1991, the Bears have been favored by more than ten points twice (they didn't cover either time) and only once, against the awful 49ers last year, since 1995. That being said…is anybody really interested in laying doubles with a team that never does. The Bills (2-2 SU & 3-1 ATS) have holes on the team, but they are playing well. A big break helped the Bills preserve a 17-12 victory over the Vikings last weekend. . Despite the win, the Bills had trouble moving the ball managing only to score 17 points. The Bills have not scored more then 20 points all season in a game and it won't get any easier coming to Chicago where the Bears have held their opponents to 10 points or less in their last eight home games at Soldier Field. Critics of this Buffalo team point to its undersized and inexperienced defensive unit. The defense used rookie safeties Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson in the opener. Despite that inexperience, Chicago doesn’t have the passing attack to really exploit this weakness. Meanwhile, The Bears (4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS) have so much speed and depth on defense, they are allowing 7.3 points and are No. 4 in total defense led by line backer Brian Urlacher (the reigning Defensive Player of the Year). The Bears ideally blitz about 30 percent of the time and outscore opponents by a 29-7 average. QB Rex Grossman is opening things up more and has good targets in WR Muhsin Muhammad and speedy WR Bernard Berrian. The Bears are off a 37-6 demolition of the Seattle Seahawks as Grossman completed 17 of 31 passes for 232 yards.
For arguments sake I’m not going to dispute the fact that the Bears have looked dominant throughout the early part of the NFL season. Despite that fact, this is not a team that I or anybody else should be confident in laying double digits. Moreover, there is a very interesting motivational factor here for the Bills head coach Dick Lauron. If you recall, coach Jauron used to coach the Bears and Bills general manager, Marv Levy, is from Chicago, which give both plenty of incentive for this non-conference matchup. Jauron will want to make a statement to his former employer, “You Fired Me” and will bring a primed Bills team that will keep it simple and stand toe-to-toe in a game of field position with the Bears, who are off a semi-short week following the Seattle game on Sunday night, which Jauron’s Bills staff was watching intently hours after winning the home game against Minnesota last Sunday afternoon. I like that angle, and I also will note that the Bills offensive and defensive coordinators are familiar with the Lovie Smith systems have worked under him, and I like how prepared this Buffalo team will be this Sunday. The Bills have shown the ability to keep games close so despite stepping up in class, I look for a hard-fought defensive struggle and a Buffalo cover
Verdict: CHI Bears 14, BUF Bills 10
OPINION SELECTION ON BUFFALO +10