Kansas City at Chicago Preseason Week 3 Odds & Free Pick

Kansas City at Chicago Preseason Week 3 Odds & Free Pick

Written by on August 25, 2016

The Chicago Bears haven’t looked too good in the preseason yet as they are one of a handful of teams at 0-2. Chicago’s starters should play the full first half — at least those who are healthy — in the Bears’ home preseason finale on Saturday against Kansas City. The Chiefs are slight favorites on NFL lines, which is unusual for a road preseason team.

Here’s a Closer Look at the Kansas City at Chicago Preseason Week 3 Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Saturday, Aug. 27, 1 PM ET Where: Soldier Field, Chicago TV: check local listings Stream: NFL.com RadioChicago / Kansas City Opening NFL Lines: Chiefs -1 (41)

Kansas City vs Chicago Historic Betting Trends

Chicago won 18-17 in Kansas City in Week 5 last year — the Chiefs would lose their next game to Minnesota and then not again the rest of the regular season. Jay Cutler led the Bears to two touchdowns in the closing minutes, the second to Matt Forte with 18 seconds remaining. Playing without wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal because of injuries, along with three starting offensive linemen, the Bears trailed 17-3 early in the third quarter. Chiefs QB Alex Smith was 16-of- 30 for 181 yards without an interception but was sacked three times. Kansas City star running back Jamaal Charles was lost to a season-ending knee injury in that game and it sure looked like the Chiefs’ season was over at 1-4.

Why Bet Kansas City?

The Chiefs also will be looking for a positive as they are 0-2 this preseason, losing each by just a point. Last week it was 21-20 at Los Angeles. Smith was 9 of 12 for 137 yards and one touchdown, leading the Chiefs to 17 points on four possessions, but the Rams rallied in the second half. Jabriel Washington recovered quarterback Aaron Murray’s fumble at the Rams 23-yard line to seal the win. The Chiefs forced a three-and- out to get the ball back with 1:22 left, but Murray threw four incompletions to end the threat. In this game, the Chiefs don’t have much to address offensively, outside of getting back Charles, who isn’t expected to play. Defensively, the Chiefs have a lot of rust to knock off, especially the run defense. Linebacker Tamba Hali, just activated off the PUP list, is not expected to play in this game. Ditto Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry, who still hasn’t reported to camp. He has yet to sign the mandatory one-year contract worth about $10.8 million that the Chiefs are obligated to offer him as their franchise player. But it sounds like the K.C. starters could go into the second half. “You’re going to give the ones the same amount [they had against the LA Rams] into possibly the third quarter,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said this week. “That’s kind of the way people do it around the league and that’s how we do it here. We’re going to keep knocking the rust off and getting ourselves game ready.”

Why Bet Chicago?

The Bears looked awful in Week 1 of the preseason in losing 22-0 at home to Denver but much better last Thursday in a 23-22 loss in New England. Chicago gained 59 yards in its first drive and surpassed its total offense against Houston in its second possession. Cutler played three series, completing 8 of 12 passes for 83 yards. Jeremy Langford also had a nice game, rushing eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown. Langford hurt his foot in the game, however, and was in a walking boot for a few days. He returned to a limited practice on Wednesday and appears to be questionable at best for the Bears’ regular season dress rehearsal. Langford should be fine for Week 1. Meanwhile, there’s concern for Chicago’s best offensive lineman, guard Kyle Long. He’s dealing with a labrum problem in his shoulder. The Bears already lost starting C Hroniss Grasu to a year-ending ACL tear. Coach John Fox was predictably vague when asked about Long’s timetable for return. “It doesn’t really matter what I think,” Fox said. “There are medical people involved and when he’s cleared, he’ll play.” Meanwhile, the Bears will have rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard after he missed three straight practices this week due to a personal issue. But first-round pick and linebacker Leonard Floyd is in question for this game due to a leg injury. Floyd also has dealt with issues ranging from illness to his hamstring and shoulder since the Bears jumped ahead two spots to draft him No. 9 overall.

My Free Pick

Take the Bears at home on NFL lines and go under.