FedEx Field is the center of the NFL world on Thursday Night Football in Week 5. The venue will host a nationally-televised matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears in a standalone window. Washington is 2-2 overall this season, including 1-1 at home in Landover, though the Commanders have lost two straight. Chicago is seeking its first win of the 2023 season after four straight losses.
Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET. SportsLine consensus lists Washington as a six-point favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 44.5 in the latest Commanders vs. Bears odds. Before making any Bears vs. Commanders picks or NFL predictions, be sure to see what SportsLine's resident Commanders expert, Larry Hartstein, has to say, considering his mastery of picks involving Washington.
A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. Larry tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Those selections formed the basis of his SportsLine NFL best bets article, which finished 36-25-1.
In addition, Hartstein has a keen sense of what to expect from the Commanders and is 26-9-1 on his last 36 NFL picks involving Washington, returning a whopping $1,591. Anybody who has been following him is way up.
Now, Hartstein has zeroed in on Commanders vs. Bears and just locked in his picks and TNF predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Bears vs. Commanders:
- Commanders vs. Bears spread: Commanders -6
- Commanders vs. Bears over/under: 44.5 points
- Commanders vs. Bears money line: Commanders -270, Bears +220
- CHI: Bears are 0-3-1 against the spread this season
- WASH: Commanders are 2-2 against the spread this season
- Commanders vs. Bears picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Bears can cover
Chicago's offense performed well a week ago, out-gaining the Denver Broncos by a 160-yards margin, including more than a 70-yard advantage on the ground. The Bears also had nine more first downs than the Broncos, averaging 6.7 yards per play and generating 28 points. Chicago's running game is effective and efficient, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and the Bears can lean on the dual-threat capabilities of quarterback Justin Fields. He has nearly 1,300 rushing yards in the last 19 games, averaging 6.8 yards per rush, and Khalil Herbert is an emerging talent at the running back position. Herbert is averaging 5.5 yards per carry over the last two seasons and erupted for 103 yards on 18 carries last week while adding four receptions.
On the outside, D.J. Moore has 301 yards and two touchdowns in four games and has averaged 1,103 passing yards per season over the last four years. The Bears also have an effective tight end in Cole Kmet, who has the third-most touchdown catches (nine) among tight ends since the start of the 2022 season. Chicago's offense is also facing a vulnerable Washington defense that is allowing 34.7 points per game over the last three games. The Commanders have given up 13 plays of at least 25 yards, tied for the most in the NFL, and Chicago can take advantage with explosive plays. See which team to pick here.
Why the Commanders can cover
The Commanders are in the top 10 of the league in first downs per game (22.0) and yards per carry (4.6) this season and quarterback Sam Howell is coming off his most efficient game as a pro in Week 4. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions and also rushed for 40 yards on six attempts. He is facing a Bears team that has the longest active losing streak in the NFL with 14 consecutive defeats and is flanked by a productive running back in Brian Robinson.
Robinson is No. 8 in the NFL with 696 rushing yards since Week 12 of the 2022 season and already has 316 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in 2023. Washington is also facing a Chicago defense that is the all-time record holder with 14 consecutive games allowing at least 25 points, and the Bears are giving up 34.25 points per game, 6.1 yards per play, and 383.3 total yards per game this season. See which team to pick here.
How to make Commanders vs. Bears picks
Hartstein is leaning Over the point total, and he also has isolated a critical X-factor that has him going big on one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Bears vs. Commanders on Thursday Night Football, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bears vs. Commanders spread to back, all from the expert who is an astounding 26-9 on picks involving Washington, and find out.
