The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL's founding franchises and own one of its oldest rivalries. Their lakefront stadium is famous for wind and cold, which matters a lot for totals. Here's the guide to Bears odds.
Who the Chicago Bears are
City and stadium
The franchise began in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Bears in 1922. George Halas, known as "Papa Bear," was a founder, player and longtime coach, and the Halas family has remained central to the franchise. The Bears play at Soldier Field, an open-air stadium on the shore of Lake Michigan. Its lakefront location makes wind a regular factor, especially late in the season.
Famous eras
- Monsters of the Midway: the Bears won multiple NFL championships in the 1930s and 1940s, including a 73-0 title game win in 1940.
- Legendary players: Hall of Famers like Red Grange, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers and Walter Payton wore the Bears' uniform.
- The 1985 Bears: with a ferocious defense, the Bears went 15-1 and won Super Bowl XX, one of the most dominant seasons in NFL history. "The Super Bowl Shuffle" became a pop-culture moment.
- Super Bowl XLI: the Bears returned to the Super Bowl after the 2006 season, losing to Indianapolis.
Rivalries
The Green Bay Packers rivalry is one of the oldest in American sports, with the teams meeting well over 200 times. The Bears also face the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings twice a year in the NFC North.
How to read odds on Bears games
Favorite or underdog
Bears -3 (-115), moneyline -165: implied 165 ÷ 265 = 62.3%. Bears +6 (-110), moneyline +210: implied 100 ÷ 310 = 32.3%.
Soldier Field wind
Lake Michigan winds are a real factor at Soldier Field. Strong wind makes passing and kicking harder, which tends to lower totals. Kickers often describe Soldier Field as one of the hardest places to kick. In late-season games, check the forecast before looking at the total. See weather and outdoor sports.
Worked example: wind and totals
A Bears home game in December opens at a total of 42.5. Forecasts call for gusty winds off the lake, and the total moves to 38.5.
- Under at 42.5 (picked early): you have 4 points more cushion than the current market.
- Over at 38.5 (picked now): you're betting the offenses can overcome the wind.
If the wind forecast eases on game day, the total might move back up. Weather forecasts can change quickly.
Defense-first history
Many of the Bears' best teams were built on defense. When a team leans on defense and running, games tend to be lower scoring and closer, which raises the importance of key numbers. See point spreads explained.
Season-long markets
Bears win totals tend to attract strong opinions from a large, passionate fan base. If the total is 8.5 with the under at -120, the implied chance of eight or fewer wins is 120 ÷ 220 = 54.5%. Look at how many late-season home games are likely to be played in cold, windy conditions, and how many division games come after Thanksgiving.
Young quarterbacks and variance
When a team starts a young quarterback, week-to-week performance can swing widely. That makes spreads harder to judge and lines more sensitive to early results. See streaks and form.
What to check before picking Bears games
- Quarterback status. Quarterback play has been a long-running storyline in Chicago.
- Wind at Soldier Field.
- Defensive health, particularly the pass rush and secondary.
- NFC North spots, including the Packers games.
- Rest and travel.
- The price vs your view. See implied probability.
Practice with play money
The Bears are a perfect team for learning how wind affects totals. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Bears games and record the wind forecast with each pick. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
What was so special about the 1985 Bears?
They went 15-1, dominated with one of the greatest defenses ever and won Super Bowl XX. They remain one of the most celebrated teams in NFL history.
Why is Soldier Field hard for kickers?
Its location on Lake Michigan exposes it to strong, swirling winds, especially late in the season.
How old is the Bears-Packers rivalry?
It dates back to 1921, making it one of the oldest rivalries in American professional sports.