Chicago Bears vs Tennessee Titans

New Tennessee coach Brian Callahan is looking to open the offense up more. Second-year quarterback Will Levis (8 TDs, 4 INTs) played well with WR DeAndre Hopkins, and the passing game got the best free-agent receiver available in Calvin Ridley. They have big play potential and the ability to stretch the field. The defense has been very good in the red zone in recent years, ranking second in the NFL last season. Tennessee is on an 8-2 run UNDER the total on the road. Chicago is favored, though they were in last place in 2023. The offense was 20th in total yards, 18th in points scored, and 16th in the red zone. They have high hopes on offense behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, but this will be his first NFL game. The Bears have lost each of their last three Week 1 games as home favorites and are 0-4-1 ATS in September, along with going five straight games UNDER at home. Play Tennessee + UNDER the total.

The Tennessee Titans finished 11-5 a year ago but were bounced out of the post-season without claiming a win. The Bears were embarrassed last week as they lost to Buffalo 41-15. As a result, the Bears have allowed more points than any other team this preseason. The Titans on the other hand have allowed just a pair of FG's in two games, both wins. The Bears have been awful, and with a week off before the regular season starts, they will be looking to score points in this one. But, this isn't to say the Titans will lay down, especially at home. They have a chance to keep their momentum going strong into the regular season. The Bears offense will likely see less of the players that have been on the field for a pair of strong defensive efforts. Exhibition games featuring an underdog off back-to-back wins have seen the underdog come through 63% of the time. NFL preseason games featuring a team that has notched back-to-back double digit wins have gone OVER the total 67% of the time. I think this total is set too low and I like the home dog. Make the play on Tennessee and the OVER.

Chicago got its first preseason win 27-17 over the Colts, who probably were a bit disoriented learning that Andrew Luck was retiring. Tyler Bray was 11-of-16 for 136 yards with a touchdown and interception for the Bears and Chase Daniel finished 3-of-9 for 21 yards. Mitch Trubisky didn't play and probably won't this week either. Tennessee didn't show much in its loss to Pittsburgh in a game that was played in the rain and so coach Mike Vrabel wasn't taking any chances playing many starters. The Titans have some motivation to shore up their pass protection even if Marcus Mariota doesn't play. The Bears are pretty well set and just want to get to the regular season intact. Chicago has allowed an average of 24 points its first three games and the reserves will play the entire game on Thursday. The Bears have gone OVER every game so far and the Colts game went OVER by seven points. Take the Titans on the moneyline and sldo play the OVER.

This is the second straight road game for the young Chicago Bears offense, after playing at Arizona last week. It's not a great quarterback punch with rookie Mitchell Trubisky battling journeyman backup Mike Glennon. Coach John Fox said it's too early to tell if Trubisky will receive any playing time with the first team at Tennessee this week. The Bears have protected anointed starter Mike Glennon at every turn since drafting Trubisky second overall last April. Glennon already has two interceptions in the preseason. The defense allowed just 40 yards rushing last week (2.1 yards per carry) and now faces a run-oriented Tennessee Titans offense that has run for 134 and 136 yards in two games. The Tennessee defense has longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau running his blitzing schemes. They have better defensive personnel with athleticism and ball skills that are focused on forcing turnovers. Saturday against the Carolina Panthers the defense forced two turnovers within the first five defensive plays. Look for both defenses to be ahead of the offenses as the starters play more. Play this one to finish UNDER the total.