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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears betting odds were as steady as they come at Chicago -3 (odds found at BetUS.com). This is where the line opened, it's where the line was heading into Friday, and it's where the line is going to stay until game time.
Gambling911.com detects a rather large underlay in this line since we have Chicago at -9 ½ points. Typically these types of large line discrepancies tend to favor the team that is the underdog. We saw this with Oakland beating Kansas City where that line came out around -9 as well on paper (compared to the much lower line issued on that game KC ended up losing).
Another inclination that Tampa can win is the strong opinion odds makers have on this game. 91 percent of action is going Chicago's way heading into Friday. 92 percent of money line action was also going towards Chicago. This game was forecast to be among the Top 10 most bet on NFL matchups of the weekend.
The last two games were won by only 3 points by Chicago and the two previous games were won by Tampa Bay.
Both defences have impressed this season. The Bears kept the Indianapolis Colts' imposing offence in check in their season-opening victory before squandering a 14-point second-half lead to the Carolina Panthers last week.
Chicago held the Panthers to just 216 yards from scrimmage but tight end Greg Olsen fumbled twice and the offence failed to get going after the first two drives.
"It seemed like the second half we were getting the ball backed up quite a bit," Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton said. "First half we made some nice drives when were backed up, so that's not an excuse.
"They played well in the second half and we didn't do enough to win the football game."
The Bears have received a boost from rookie Matt Forte, who rushed for 215 yards and a touchdown on 46 carries over his first two games.
The Bucs turned in a dominating defensive performance during Sunday's 24-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Tampa Bay intercepted Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan twice and did not allow the rookie to complete a pass on his first nine attempts.
Brian Griese, who replaced an ailing Jeff Garcia as the team's staring quarterback after the season-opening loss to the rival New Orleans Saints, played smartly and did not commit any turnovers.
Griese passed for 160 yards and a touchdown, ensuring that he would be the starter for at least one more week.
Chicago is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games.
BetUS.com was offering huge cash signup bonuses when opening an online betting account this weekend. Check out their site for details.
