Week 16 NFL Picks - New York Jets (+2.5) at Chicago Bears

Sunday, December 26, 2010

by Aengus Moorehead

Week 16 NFL Picks - New York Jets (+2.5) at Chicago Bears - LaDainian Tomlinson

Weather:
Partly sunny. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-15 M.P.H. Game-time temperature: Around 45.

Last week’s result:
NY Jets (+6.5) beats host Pittsburgh 22-17. Chicago host Minnesota

Last week against the Spread:
NY Jets upsets. Chicago

Analysis:
The Football betting experts are starting to believe in the Chicago Bears. After demolishing the Vikings on Monday Night Football to win the NFC North title, the Chicago Bears turn their sights on second place in the NFC and a first round playoff bye. The New York Jets just want to show the world that they are for real and can beat a quality team when they need to.

The Chicago Bears (10-4) are now tied with the Eagles for the number two seed in the NFC behind the Falcons. Being the number two seed means a bye in the first round of the playoffs and home field until the Bears have to play the Falcons. The Jets (10-4) are not going to catch the Patriots for first place in the AFC East, so New York is playing for the sixth and final playoff spot as one of the two AFC wild cards.

New York quarterback Mark Sanchez played much better in the week 15 win over the Steelers. The running game for New York also got going a bit as LaDainian Tomlinson seemed to really help stretch out an aggressive Pittsburgh defense. But the Steelers were without safety Troy Polamalu who can make a huge difference in the opposition passing game. With the Chicago defense completely healthy, Sanchez will have to learn to adjust again.

The Chicago offense seems cool, calm and collected. The line is blocking extremely well and running back Matt Forte showed a lot of power and determination in the win over Minnesota which he had not shown in the past. Quarterback Jay Cutler is improving dramatically and seems to be clicking with offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Cutler was extremely accurate against the Vikings, and remains under control in pressure situations.

The Jets defense went head-to-head with Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense and got the best of Pittsburgh. Big Ben was running from pressure all night long, and the linebackers were extremely active against the run. One thing that Pittsburgh did show the rest of the league is how to beat Darelle Revis. When Roethlisberger would get the ball out in front of his receiver, Revis had no shot at it. That may be something that Martz and Cutler exploit.

The Bears defense probably, and finally, knocked Brett Favre out of the NFL. The Bears front line pressure was relentless. Defensive lineman Julius Peppers picked up one interception and almost caused another. Brian Urlacher contained the run game almost single handedly. The safeties and corners for Chicago are significantly more aggressive than people give them credit for, and they were able to hang with the Vikings receivers all night long.

With these defenses, this should be a low-scoring, physical field position war. Sanchez is starting to feel more confidence, and the Jets' relentless, blitzing defense is exactly the kind Cutler has struggled against. Plus the Jets, still seeking a playoff spot, have the extra motivation that the Bears may have lost after clinching the division. Take Jets.

Bet on NY Jets (+2.5) at Chicago at Bovada Sportsbook

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ben roethlisberger - brian urlacher - chicago bears - football betting - jay cutler - ladainian tomlinson - mark sanchez - matt forte - mike martz - new york jets