The Bears are 1-1 after escaping the last minute against the Broncos. The Redskins are 0-2 even though they showed plenty of fight against the Eagles and Cowboys.
Mitchell Trubisky has disappointed for Chicago at quarterback, while Washington counterpart Case Keenum has played much better than anyone expected to keep rookie first-rounder Dwayne Haskins on the bench. Keenum will now try to keep it going against a loaded defense on every level to further delay the beginning of the Haskins era.
Trubisky isn’t in danger of being benched for his poor play, but the Bears need for him to have a good game to get above .500 and return the good feelings of last year’s NFC North title run.
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Betting odds for ‘Monday Night Football’
Spread: Bears -4
Point total: 41
Odds: Bears -103, Redskins -107
The Bears essentially are seen as a touchdown better than the Redskins on a neutral field, but their lack of scoring in the 20s so far keeps this game with a low total.
Bears vs. Redskins all-time series
The Redskins have won seven consecutive games against the Bears dating back to 2004, but the teams haven’t played since ’16. The Redskins also had a six-game winning streak from ’89 to ’97. Even though the Bears’ last win in the old-school NFL rivalry came in ’03, the overall series remains close, with Washington holding a 26-23-1 edge over the past 87 seasons.
Three trends to know
— The Redskins are 10-2 straight up and 10-2 against the spread vs. the Bears since 1996.
— The action is leaning to the Redskins as Monday night underdogs with 54 percent of bettors liking them to cover with 62 percent taking them to win for the moneyline.
— The Bears have failed to cover in their first two games and with a sputtering offense and dominant defense, their games also have gone well under the total. 53 percent of bettors like the over here, however.
Three things to watch
The Mack attack
The Redskins’ offensive line has survived in pass protection without left tackle Trent Williams, giving up only two sacks total of Keenum in two games, despite facing the strong defensive fronts of the Eagles and Cowboys. The latest, biggest challenge is Khalil Mack, the Bears’ 3-4 edge behemoth. Williams isn’t around for Monday night and right tackle Morgan Moses is battling a sore knee.
Mack didn’t sack Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, but he wreaked havoc with his presence and then dropped Joe Flacco in Week 2. He’ll be eager to break out for a big game in going after Keenum, a former division foe QB.
Trubisky’s time?
The Redskins’ have struggled with pass defense so far, being shredded by Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott, two big-armed, mobile QBs. The coverage has been shaky all over the field as wide receivers, backs and tight ends all have had success. Trubisky is carrying the confidence of the clutch late pass in Denver and last season, tended to pick apart bad teams. The diversity of his passing weapons can allow him to get out of his slump, if he can get the ball out quickly.
Steady Eddy
The Bears finally have found their kicker in Eddy Pineiro. He has shown excellent range in two games and came up with the 53-yard game-winner against the Broncos. The Redskins haven’t been a good red zone defense, but the Bears haven’t been an effective red zone offense. There should be multiple opportunities for Pineiro to convert and help Chicago build upon a lead.
Stat that matters
The Redskins have lost eight of their past nine games. The average margin of defeat in those games has been more than 11 points. The Bears also have won five of their past six road games.
Bears vs. Redskins prediction
The Bears are the superior team in every way and although the Redskins will come out fired up and desperate at 0-2 with Jay Gruden’s seat starting to get hotter, the matchups offensively and defensively don’t fall in their favor anywhere. Chicago has shown great away mettle with Matt Nagy, and it continues here.
Bears 20, Redskins 13
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