Packers vs Bears Betting Odds: As Goes Justin Fields, So Go the Bears

One of the NFL’s most storied rivalries returns when the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET) to kick off the 2023-24 season.

Change is rapid in the NFL, and the Packers, in particular, look vastly different, with Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Like Chicago, Green Bay is expected to finish toward the bottom of the NFC North, outside the playoff picture. But expectations only mean so much this time of year.

After opening as a 1.5-point favorite, Chicago is now -1 (-110) and -115 to win outright, while Green Bay is priced similarly at -105. The projected total is 42 (-110). Read on as we break down the matchup in our Packers vs Bears betting odds preview.

Bears Poised to Rebound After Last-Place Finish

Justin Fields broke out last season, flashing the abilities that made him a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021. With 1,143 rushing yards, Fields became just the third quarterback in NFL history to run for at least 1,000 yards in a single season, joining Michael Vick (2006) and Lamar Jackson (2019, 2020). He also passed for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns. Despite Fields’ emergence, the Bears finished with the NFL’s worst record at 3-14 and missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

While the Bears still have a long way to go to get back into contention in the NFC, oddsmakers feel they’re moving in the right direction. Case in point: Chicago is projected for 7.5 wins, with a slight edge to the Over at -130. And while the Bears have the longest NFC North odds at +400, not much separates them from the division favorite Detroit Lions (+135).

Whether the Bears can meet — or even exceed — expectations will largely depend on, of course, Fields. So much more is expected of Fields in Year 3. Fields is a trendy pick among bettors, with +2000 odds to win NFL MVP or Offensive Player of the Year.

Does he have enough help? Hoping to answer that, Chicago bolstered Fields’ supporting cast by trading for former Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore, who’s coming off his fourth straight 60-plus catch season. They also used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle, drafting Darnell Wright, a 6-foot-5, 333-pound standout from Tennessee.

Chicago was just 5-11-1 against the spread last season, producing the second-worst cover rate (31.3%) in the NFL behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23.5%). But that trend could very well change. Keep that in mind when assessing the Packers vs Bears betting odds.

Jordan Love Era Begins for Green Bay

The post-Aaron Rodgers Era officially gets underway in Green Bay. Following the four-time NFL MVP’s departure, it’s Jordan Love’s turn to try to make the Packers his own. Love has attempted just 83 passes in the regular season since being drafted in the first round in 2020. But a strong showing in the preseason has generated optimism around this storied franchise.

It may not necessarily show in the odds. Green Bay is projected for only 7.5 wins (-140 Over, +110 Under) and is +375 to win the NFC North, a smidge ahead of Chicago. But with no dominant team in the division, Green Bay is certainly capable of climbing back up the NFL team standings.

But first, Green Bay must get healthy. Two of Love’s top targets, receivers Christian Watson (hamstring) and Romeo Doubs (hamstring), landed on the NFL injury report and did not participate in Green Bay’s first official practice ahead of Week 1. That certainly doesn’t bode well for the Packers, who’d already lost their No. 1 receiver, Allen Lazard, to the New York Jets in free agency.

As Love continues to acclimate himself, Green Bay figures to rely heavily on a ground game featuring Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. The duo combined to rush for nearly 1,900 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

Green Bay was 8-9 ATS, though remember, that was with Rodgers. That’s important to remember regarding the Packers vs Bears betting odds.

Handicapping the Odds

Nobody must be happier to see Rodgers leave Green Bay than Chicago. Rodgers went 22-5 against the Bears, and in the last decade, he’s lost to them only once. Love has a lot of catching up to do in that regard, and the Bears are a bit more formidable now with Fields.

Chicago’s been a trendy sleeper pick. Despite finishing in the basement last season, the Bears have reasonable odds of making the playoffs at +160. There’s no guarantee they will get there, of course, but clearly, things are beginning to look up again in the Windy City.

Look for Chicago to start fast and cover the NFL point spread at home in Week 1.

For NFL betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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