What began as a rocky offseason became one of the most exciting for Bears fans in recent memory. Originally to patch shoddy quarterback play, Matt Nagy brought in veteran Andy Dalton to compete for the job (a decision that was met with universal criticism). However, opportunity struck in the NFL Draft where Chicago moved up to pick Ohio State phenom Justin Fields and move forward with their new franchise quarterback.Questions still surround disgruntled star receiver Allen Robinson, who has been rumored to be seeking a trade should the quarterback situation not improve around him.
It was a strange follow-up to the Bears’ 2020 season which– despite going 0.500 and having a quarterback controversy– ended with a playoff appearance. Nagy sits in a precarious position. He said early in the offseason that Fields won’t be “rushed” to the field in hopes that it won’t “ruin” him. However, should the Bears get off to anything but a hot start, calls for the rookie to take over will grow louder and at the expense potentially of Nagy’s job.
Chicago Bears Week 1 odds
The Chicago Bears begin their 2021 season in Los Angeles on Sunday Night Football to face the Rams. Per Matt Nagy, Andy Dalton is the Day 1 starter and rookie Justin Fields will watch and learn before taking the field. Last season, Nick Foles threw for 261 yards and two interceptions in a 27-10 loss to the Rams (just the Bears’ second loss on the year at that point). Allen Robinson was targeted just four times against All Pro corner Jalen Ramsey.
With a quarterback competition still firmly in place for Chicago, they opened as +7 underdogs to the Rams (currently Bears ). The Bears finished 8-9 against the spread and 8-9 against the over in 2020 en route to a Playoff berth. Nagy has a 1-2 record against Sean McVay in his career and 0-2 in the last two seasons, averaging just 10.7 points per game against them.
Complete Week 1 betting preview: Rams vs. Bears
Chicago Bears futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Bears Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +8000
- To win NFC: +3500
- To win NFC North: +550
- Make playoffs: +210
- Bears win total: 7.5 (+100)
Odds last updated August 5
Bears prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. David Montgomery came into his own toward the end of the season and proved to be a fruitful option with prop betting. For example, Montgomery’s projected rushing total against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 of the 2020 season was 55.5 yards. That game, he went off for 103 rushing yards and those who bet over his rushing total would have cashed out.
Search below for Chicago Bears team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Chicago Bears 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | at Los Angeles Rams | 8:20 p.m. ET | Rams -7 |
| Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | vs Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 p.m. ET | Bears -5 |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | vs Detroit Lions | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:05 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | vs Green Bay Packers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | vs San Francisco 49ers | 1:00 p.m. ET | 49ers -3.5 |
| Week 9 | Monday, Nov. 8 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | BYE | N/A | N/A |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | vs Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 25 | at Detroit Lions | 12:30 p.m. ET | Bears -4.5 |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 5 | vs Arizona Cardinals | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 12 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Monday, Dec. 20 | vs Minnesota Vikings | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 26 | at Seattle Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | vs New York Giants | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | at Minnesota Vikings | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
Best Bears betting site(s)
How to bet on the Chicago Bears
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Bears -185
- Panthers +310
The Bears are considered heavy favorites in this matchup (indicated by -185), requiring a $185 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). The Panthers are the underdog in this matchup, paying out $410 total for a $100 bet ($310 in winnings). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Bears -2.5 (-110)
- Vikings +2.5 (-110)
In this example, Chicago is favored by 2.5 points, indicated by “-2.5.” If the Bears win the game 23-20, the Bears (-2.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Vikings keep the game within three and lose 23-21, the Vikings (+2.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Bears’ projected point total in their Week 2 matchup with the New York Giants was just 39.5 points. The Bears won that matchup 17-13, resulting in 30 total points. Those who bet under the point total could have cashed out.
The Bears fielded another still defense in 2020 and their offense was marred by quarterback controversy. Because of this, Chicago’s games usually had low point totals, ranging anywhere from 40 to 45 points and not usually more. Barring the Bears landing a big playmaker at quarterback, their point totals will continue to be low moving into 2021.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Bears (-225) were heavily favored against the Jaguars (+190) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Bears to win would win just $4.44.
However, say the Bears fell to a big 21-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to a costly turnover or special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Jaguars, who may be a -110 favorite at halftime. Taking the Bears to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +130). Should a bettor take Chicago (+130) at halftime and the Bears pull off the comeback, winners would win $13 instead of $4.44 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Jaguars(+190) in that game, but Chicago jumps out to a 13-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Chicago (-270) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Bears 2020 recap
Record: 8-8
Record ATS: 8-8
Over/under record: 8-8
It was maybe the most exciting route to an 8-8 record for the 2020 Bears, who began the season red hot, then went on a six game losing streak. They won three of their last four and squeaked into the seventh seed in the NFC Playoffs. Through Week 13, the Bears failed to score more than 30 points, but averaged 31.5 points per game down their last four weeks. The indecisiveness between Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky led to the offense that was truly hard to watch.
The rest of the Bears’ metrics were as middle-of-the-road as it gets; they were the only team in the NFL to post a 0.500 record across their regular season, against the spread, and against the point total. Betting on the Bears week-to-week proved to be difficult in 2020.
Bears 2021 offseason moves
Trades: None
Re-signings: WR Allen Robinson (franchise tag), OL Germain Ifedi (one year, $5 million), S Deon Bush (one year, $1.5 million), S Tasahun Gipson (one year, $1.8 million)
Free agent losses: QB Mitchell Trubisky (to Bills), CB Kyle Fuller (to Broncos), T Charles Leno Jr. (to Washington)
Free agent signings: QB Andy Dalton (one year, $10 million), WR Damiere Byrd (one year, $1.1 million), T Elijah Wilkinson (one year, $1.3 million)
Draft picks: QB Justin Fields, OT Teven Jenkins, RB Khalil Herbert, WR Dazz Newsome