The Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears meet Thursday in the 2019 NFL preseason opener for both Super Bowl hopefuls. Now, let’s find out where the best betting value lies in this one when it gets underway live from Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday night.
Panthers vs Bears 2019 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Analysis & Prediction
- When: Thursday August 8, 2019, 8:00 PM (EDT)
- Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- TV: None
- Radio: Carolina / Chicago
- Live Stream: NFL Network
- NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds: Chicago -3.5 / Total: 38
Weather Forecast
- Sunny: 27°C/80°F
- Humidity: 49%
- Precipitation: 1%
- Wind: 10 mph NNE
- Cloud Cover: 7%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Why Bet On Carolina at +3.5?
The Panthers are looking to get back in the playoffs after going 7-9 last season to finish tied for second in the NFC South. Carolina ranked a modest 14th in scoring (23.5 ppg) while finishing an uninspiring 19th in points allowed (23.9 ppg). Veteran quarterback cam Newton almost certainly won’t see action in this preseason opener, leaving the outcome in the hands of backups Will Grier, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 23.50
- Total Yards: 373.25
- Pass Yards: 239.75
- Rush Yards: 133.50
- Average Score Against: 23.88
- Total Yards: 353.19
- Pass Yards: 240.44
- Rush Yards: 112.75
Why Bet On Chicago at -3.5?
The Bears will be looking to improve on their fantastic 2018 campaign that saw them go a stupendous 12-4 to win the NFC North by four games over Minnesota in their first year under head coach Matt Nagy. With starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky likely seeing little to no action in this one, veteran backup Chase Daniels and third-stringer Tyler Bray will be charged with helping get the ‘W’ for Chicago in this preseason opener against their hated division rivals. The Bears ranked a stellar ninth in scoring last season (26.3 ppg) and an even more impressive first in points allowed (17.7 ppg).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 25.65
- Total Yards: 344.41
- Pass Yards: 226.76
- Rush Yards: 117.65
- Average Score Against: 17.59
- Total Yards: 299.71
- Pass Yards: 222
- Rush Yards: 77.71
Panthers vs Bears NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting Trends
- Panthers are 1-7 SU in the last 8 games
- Panthers are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 games.
- The total went UNDER in 4 of the Panthers’ last 5 games
- Bears are 9-2 ATS in the last 11 games
- Bears are 9-2 SU in the last 11 games
- The total went UNDER in 5 of the Bears’ last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Panthers vs Bears
While I actually like Carolina’s backup quarterback situation more than I like Chicago’s, I’ve got the Bears getting the win and narrow ATS cover against Green Bay because they have a phenomenal defense that will almost certainly be on full display when both of these teams go to their backups.
The Panthers went 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall last season while Chicago has gone a bankroll-boosting 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 home games and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Chicago’s lock-down defense will be the reason the Bears take care of business at home in this preseason opener.
