Weather could be a factor today with both high winds in Green Bay, where the Packers host the Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland, where the Browns host the Las Vegas Raiders. Rain is also expected in Baltimore, where the Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo, for the Bills encounter with the New England Patriots. Some rain is in the forecast for Cleveland and at tonight’s National Football League venue, Philadelphia, where the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys.

Wind could also be a factor in Chicago, when the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. It is tough to see how either of these teams are going to generate much offense. The Bears are struggling behind Nick Foles while the Saints are running out of healthy receivers for quarterback Drew Brees.

Last Monday night, when the Bears were throttled in Los Angeles by the Rams, 24-10, their only touchdown was scored by the defense. Foles is clearly the starter, but would Mitch Trubisky get another shot if Foles continues to struggle?

With a pedestrian offense for Matt Nagy’s squad, the defense needs to carry the load if Chicago is to return to the playoffs. They have won five of their first seven games, but have gotten little credit for it from either the football pundits or fans across the nation.

When the best teams are discussed, the Bears are not mentioned with the likes of the Chiefs, Packers, Ravens, Steelers, Titans or Seahawks. But, do you know what the Bears have over all six of those more highly regarded teams?

They have a better defense.

Last week, in Los Angeles the Bears got throttled on National television, but they were supposed too. They came into that game with a better record than Los Angeles and the Rams were looking to avenge a loss the prior week against the San Francisco 49ers. It was a horrible spot for the Bears, yet it was the first time this season that a majority of the bettors were backing Chicago plus the seemingly generous six point spread.

Today, the Bears point spread is plus four at home, and they are being bet against again when they battle Brees and company.

Chicago goes from a horrible spot to a prime spot, a bet-on road dog to a bet against home underdog.

The Bears are one of the four rated point spread plays currently posted on this site, and if a Bullet Play develops that contest will be added to the list of recommendations by 9:45 a.m. Pacific Time.

As for the public, their three most bet games for Week Eight are the Green Bay Packers (-6½) over Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans (-7) over Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills (-4½) over the New England Patriots.