Coming off a snowy home-field win over Miami, Buffalo (11-3) heads to the Midwest for a Christmas Eve showdown with Chicago (3-11).
One of 11 NFL matchups on the Dec. 24 NFL schedule, the cross-conference rivals will settle things on the Soldier Field turf.
At this time of the season, it is difficult for bettors to discern which teams are motivated and which are simply biding their time until the offseason commences.
Teams’ Performance Recap
Chicago, under a first-year head coach and second-year quarterback, has not been able to find success in 2022 despite leading the NFL in rushing yards according to NFL team stats, usually a component for success.
Buffalo, on the other hand, is atop the NFL standings, leading both the division and conference, and should they win out, will secure a first-round bye and ensure that the road to Super Bowl 57 goes through Orchard Park.
Check out our piece below before making your Bills vs Bears predictions, as we will delve into NFL player stats as well as the NFL injury report to fully analyze the action.
Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
Matchup Info
- Date: Saturday, December 24, 2022
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: Soldier Field
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- How to Watch: CBS
The two franchises have met on 13 occasions, with the Black and Orange of the Bears emerging victorious eight times.
Bills Performance Recap and Analysis
Buffalo enters the game having won 5 in a row, most recently squeaking past Miami 32-29 as the snow fell in Orchard Park.
As the wins have piled up, the markets have adjusted to the Bills’ prowess, as they have been favored by a touchdown or more in 6 of their last seven.
However, those who have made Buffalo Bills picks have not fared terribly well as the team has dropped their last two against the number and are just 5-8-1 against it all season.
Buffalo’s offensive production has been solid throughout as quarterback Josh Allen is one of the best signal callers in the league, and the Bills’ defense is 9th overall and 4th against the run.
Key Injuries
At press time, the status of offensive lineman Ike Boetegger is unknown, although he has been working towards a return.
Other key players, such as linebacker Von Miller (out of season) and Mitch Morse (concussion protocol), are also notables on the injury report.
Betting Trends to Know
- The under has hit in 10 of the last 13 Bills games.
- The bills are 2-3-1 ATS in the last six road games.
- The total has gone under in 4 of Buffalo’s last five games in Chicago.
Bears Performance Recap and Analysis
Under first-year coach Matt Eberflus, Chicago has struggled. Beats enter Christmas Eve as losers of their last seven.
The once-proud Monsters of the Midway have faced both the NFC and AFC East, two of the strongest divisions in football.
Second-year quarterback Justin Fields leads the squad in rushing and currently has run for exactly 1,000 yards after his 95-yard rushing performance against the Eagles.
He has taken a significant step up, much as Allen did in his second season in the league.
Bears’ Defense
Chicago’s defense has been good against the pass but susceptible to the run.
One look at the Chicago Bears standings shows the team poised for a high draft pick as their three wins rank them second-worst in the NFL, ahead of only the hapless Texans.
It’s important to understand this when making Bills vs Bears predictions.
Key Injuries
Three key Bears players, receiver N’Keal Harry, offensive lineman Larry Borom and receiver Chase Claypool, all did not play against Philly, and their status for Week 16 is unknown.
Betting Trends to Know
- The Bears are 0-6 against the number at home when playing teams with a winning record.
- Over is 7-0 in games following a Bears loss.
- Over is 7-0 in the last seven games when Chicago is an underdog.
Bills vs. Bears Odds
Currently, the Bills are 9-point favorites, and the game total is set at 42.5. On the moneyline, Buffalo is – 455, and the Bears are + 340.
Bills vs. Bears Betting Picks
- Moneyline
The Bills played last Saturday at home, so they are not on a short week, playing on full rest. Chicago, on the other hand, comes back from Philadelphia and has a short week to prepare.
In addition to all the other reasons why Buffalo is simply the better team here, we give the Bills the advantage, and they’re our moneyline selection.
NFL Pick: Bills
- Over/Under
The Bills are averaging 23.6 points per game in their last three away from Buffalo. Conversely, the Bears have put up an average of 27 per contest in their last three at home.
Long-range weather forecasts have it being in the single-digits with wind, which puts a wrench into our Bills vs Bears predictions. We lean under here.
NFL Pick: Under 41 (-110)
- Spread
The Bills haven’t exactly been a great ATS team this season, and in fact, in games where they are favored by six or more points, they are 1-6-1.
To that end, we don’t trust Buffalo in a road spot and will take the Bears and the points.
NFL Pick: Bears +9 (-110)
Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears Score Prediction
After considering a multitude of factors in making our free NFL picks, our Bills vs. Bears prediction has Buffalo winning by 4. Make it 21-17 Buffalo.
Score Prediction: Bills 21, Bears 17.
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