Chicago (1-1) at Washington (0-2)
When: Monday, September 23, 2019
Where: FedEx Field,
Landover, Maryland
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Chicago -5/42.5
The Chicago Bears were one of the favorites to come out of the NFC this season, and although there’s a long way to go, this team needs to get their offense going to match their ferocious defense. Chicago is lucky to be 1-1 heading into their Week 3 matchup with the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. The Bears scored just three points in an opening week loss to the Packers and needed a last-second field goal at Denver last Sunday to pull out a 16-14 victory. A team that ranks third in points allowed and 30th in points scored, is probably just what they are – a .500 team. Chicago wants to be better than that and will get a chance to unleash the offense against one of the worst defenses in the league in the Redskins. Washington is second-to-last in points allowed (31.5) after losses to division rivals Dallas and Philadelphia to start the season. The offense is moving the ball, however, behind veteran quarterback Case Keenum, but ranks 30th in rushing the football. It’s the first meeting since 2016 when Chicago was one of the NFL’s worst teams and Washington finished 8-7-1 – the last time they had a winning record. Washington won 41-21 that week with Kirk Cousins under center. The Redskins have covered the past five in the series and the total has gone over in four of the five.
As I mentioned, the offense is a major concern in Chicago. Mitchell Trubisky really struggled in the Week 1 loss to Green Bay and wasn’t any better Sunday in throwing for only 120 yards. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass and recorded only 348 yards through the air in two games after going 16-of-27 in Denver. Rookie running back David Montgomery from Iowa State accounted for the team’s lone touchdown in 22 offensive possessions and rumbled 18 times for 62 yards, while Allen Robinson leads the receiving corps with 11 receptions. Chicago’s defense has been as good as advertised, allowing just 24 points overall and an average of 292.7 yards. Linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan combined for 25 tackles against the Broncos. The Bears will host Minnesota next week in a big division game.
Keenum is still playing well enough to hold off rookie first-round pick Dwayne Haskins for now, while Jay Gruden clings to his job. Washington was without four injured players Sunday in tight end Jordan Reed (concussion), defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (knee), and cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar (knee) and Fabian Moreau (ankle). Reed is out for Monday, Moreau is probably, while Allen and Dunbar are questionable. The Redskins could use all the bodies they can on defense after allowing 14 plays of 10 yards or more so far. Gruden kept Adrian Peterson inactive for the season opener but the future Hall-of-Famer came back last week with 10 carries for only 25 yards and now face a stingy Bears defense. Washington will be at the New York Giants next week before hosting New England.
Recent history tells me that the Redskins are 2-15 in their last 17 MNF appearances and 1-16 in their last 17 at home. That’s OK. This will be around a three-point game because I just don’t trust the Bears’ offense right now with Trubisky. Keenum has been playing well and will make enough plays to keep this one tight.
Pick: Redskins +5 (More Week 3 Free Picks)
Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.
Bears are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up win.
Bears are 9-3 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Bears are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 vs. NFC.
Bears are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Bears are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Bears are 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Bears are 19-42-1 ATS in their last 62 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Bears are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games in September.
Bears are 13-37-1 ATS in their last 51 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Redskins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Redskins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 3.
Redskins are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
Redskins are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Redskins are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in September.
Redskins are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Redskins are 7-21 ATS in their last 28 Monday games.
Redskins are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Redskins are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.
Under is 7-0 in Bears last 7 games overall.
Under is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Under is 7-0 in Bears last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games following a straight up win.
Under is 6-0 in Bears last 6 games on grass.
Under is 6-0 in Bears last 6 vs. NFC.
Under is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 5-1 in Bears last 6 Monday games.
Under is 5-1 in Bears last 6 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games in September.
Over is 13-4 in Bears last 17 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 12-4 in Bears last 16 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 8-1 in Redskins last 9 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Redskins last 7 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Redskins last 5 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Redskins last 5 games in Week 3.
Under is 9-3 in Redskins last 12 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Redskins last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 19-8 in Redskins last 27 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Redskins last 10 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Road team is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings.
Underdog is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
Bears are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
