Chicago vs Pittsburgh NFL | Low-Scoring Monday Night Game?

Oddsmakers expect a defensive battle on Monday night to close Week 9 of the NFL season as the Chicago Bears visit the Pittsburgh Steelers with a total of just 39 points on the NFL odds.

How to Bet Bears at Steelers NFL Odds & TV Info

When: Monday, 8:15 PM ET
Where: Heinz Field
TV: ESPN
Radio: http://www.siriusxm.com/nfl
Stream Option: ESPN app
Opening NFL Lines: Steelers -6.5 (total 39)

Series History

Chicago leads 19-7-1 all-time – they have never met in the playoffs. The last meeting was in 2017 in Chicago and the Bears won 23-17 in overtime at home. Jordan Howard scored on a 19-yard run in overtime; he’s long gone now. Howard’s winning score came two plays after Tarik Cohen broke off an electric run for what appeared to be a 73-yard game-winning touchdown. But he was ruled out at the Pittsburgh 37. Chicago rushed for 220 yards. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 235 yards and a TD.

Why Bet on Chicago?

Chicago played without head coach Matt Nagy in COVID protocols last week and lost its third in a row, 33-22 at home to the 49ers. Rookie Justin Fields completed 19-of-27 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The highlight of Fields’ day was a 4th-and-1 in which he eluded numerous oncoming defenders and cut back for a stellar TD run. He had 10 carries for 103 yards. Fields was the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to record a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown and at least 100 rushing yards in a single game, joining Robert Griffin III (Oct. 14, 2012) and Marcus Mariota.

Rookie Khalil Herbert rushed 23 times for 72 yards, and he had -4 yards on two catches. Herbert has been carrying the load with No. 1 running back David Montgomery out injured but Montgomery has a good chance of being activated Monday. Nagy, who is back from protocols, noted that he thought Montgomery looked “really good” in practice this week. Nagy suggested Montgomery will still get the bulk of carries when activated even though Herbert has rushed for 70-plus yards (for 4.4 YPC) in four consecutive games.

No. 2 receiver Darnell Mooney is in question with a groin injury. Star linebacker Khalil Mack will miss another game with a foot injury. After sustaining the injury Oct. 3 in a win over the Lions, the six-time Pro Bowler Mack played in the next three games—recording two sacks—despite being either limited or held out of practice entirely. Safety Eddie Jackson is doubtful with a hamstring injury he suffered last Sunday on the second play from scrimmage against the 49ers. Jackson has started 70 of a possible 72 games in five seasons with the Bears, missing only the final two contests in 2018 with an ankle injury.

Why Bet on Pittsburgh?

The Steelers upset the Browns 15-10 in Cleveland last week. Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 266 yards and a touchdown. Roethlisberger’s 7.8 yards per attempt were well above his seasonal average of 5.7, though most of his throws were of the quick-hitting, check down variety. Rookie Najee Harris had 26 rushes for 91 yards and a touchdown, adding three receptions for 29 yards.

Big Ben is a bit banged up but will play Monday. He has a 16-6 record in 22 career starts on Monday and has at least two touchdown passes in six of his past seven games on Monday Night Football.

Harris ranks second among rookies this season with 752 scrimmage yards (479 rushing, 273 receiving) and five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving). He has recorded a touchdown in four consecutive games and at least 115 scrimmage yards in each of the past three. With at least 115 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against on Monday, Harris will become the fifth rookie running back to accomplish the feat in at least four consecutive games in NFL history. Each of the previous four rookie running backs to do so were named Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Tight end Eric Ebron (hamstring) has been ruled out of Monday night’s game and backup offensive lineman B.J. Finney (back) is questionable. Kicker Chris Boswell should be good to go. Boswell was not able to finish Pittsburgh’s Week 8 win over the Browns due to a concussion, but he got in a limited session on Thursday before a full practice on Friday. Boswell has averaged just under two field goal attempts per game so far this season.

Takeaways have been a problem for both these teams, as Chicago has eight in eight games, and the Steelers have taken the ball away on just six occasions in their seven 2021 games thus far. Pittsburgh has only turned the ball over seven times, though, compared to 11 for the Bears.

Pittsburgh’s offense produces 5.2 yards per play. That ranks 25th in the NFL. The Bears offense produces 4.4 yards per play which is dead last. The Steelers defense is allowing 5.5 yards per play, which is 16th. Chicago’s defense is giving up 5.8 yards per play. That comes in at 24th. The Bears defense allowed San Francisco to average 8.6 yards per play,

Game Trends

Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games in November.
Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog.
Bears are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Steelers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.