Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears Matchup Preview (12/27/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Chicago Bears in week 16 of the NFL season. The Jaguars now have the first overall pick of the NFL draft and a possible path to taking Trevor Lawrence. The Chicago Bears need this game as part of their ploy to find the last wild card spot in the NFC playoffs. They are currently 7-7 on the season. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, December 27th, 2020
Time: 1:05 PM ET
Location: TIAA Bank Filed – Jacksonville, Florida
TV Coverage: FOX

Jaguars vs. Bears Live Stream

Where can you watch Jaguars vs. Bears online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Jaguars vs. Bears Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Jacksonville Jaguars: Questionable: Sidney Jones, Collin Johnson, James Robinson, COVID: Logan Cooke, Ben Bartch
Chicago Bears: Questionable: Akiem Hicks, Cordarrelle Patterson, Deon Bush, Jaylon Johnson, Buster Skrine, Demetrius Harris, IR: Reggie Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars Analysis

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been recently gifted with a New York Jets win, giving them the tie-breaker to the first overall draft pick in next year’s NFL draft. The Jaguars were recently blown out by the Baltimore Ravens last game by a score of 40-14 on the road. I would say they would be looking for a win against the Bears after still not having won since week one. But, I am not so sure they will want to after being gifted with the rights to drafting Trevor Lawrence.

Gardner Minshew got this game all to himself and put up reputable numbers against the Ravens’ secondary last game. He completed 75.9% of his passes for 226 yards and two passing touchdowns. He connected with James Robinson and Chris Conley for both of his touchdowns in the game. But he was sacked 5 times in this game for 21 total yards. The Bears are above average in containing the passing game, ranking above average in opponent completion percentage, passing yards per game, and passing touchdowns per game.

James Robinson is questionable for next week’s game with an ankle injury that might keep him out. He has not practiced so far in the week, but in his absence, Dare Ogunbowale would take over for him. Robinson has had a dynamite season as an undrafted rookie, rushing for the third-most yards in the league, 4.5 yards per attempt, and 7 rushing touchdowns on the year. The Bears have had some great performances defending the run, highlighting the fact that they have allowed just 4.1 yards per attempt and the fifth least amount of rushing touchdowns on the year.

The Jaguars’ defense is certainly one of their biggest weaknesses this season. They allowed 40 points to the Ravens last game and have allowed 30.2 points per game, which is the third-worst value in that category. They also allow 418.2 yards per game, which ranks them last in the NFL. The Bears have been rolling on offense recently, and the Jaguars will need to keep their eyes on David Montgomery, who has six touchdowns and over 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last four games.

Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart

QB: Gardner Minshew
RB1: Leonard Fournette
RB2: Ryquell Armstead
WR1: Chris Conley
WR2: D.J. Chark
WR3: Dede Westbrook
TE: Geoff Swaim

Chicago Bears Analysis

The Chicago Bears are still trying out their odds to make the NFC playoffs. They need to win out against the Jaguars next week and the Green Bay Packers in the last week. Meanwhile, they need to hope that the Arizona Cardinals lose one of their next two games. The Bears have been following in the footsteps of the run game, led by David Montgomery and the improvement of Mitch Trubisky. They look to take advantage of the easier matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars next week.

Mitch Trubisky did not need to throw the ball a whole lot last game. He only threw the ball 21 times for 202 yards, one touchdown, and just one interception late in the game. Mitch was only sacked once in this game, as the offensive line has seriously improved. Charles Leno Jr. has the fifth-best PFF grade for offensive tackles in the last six games, according to PFF. Darnell Mooney took the only passing touchdown from Trubisky last game and could see more action next week against the Jaguars’ weak secondary. The Jaguars allow a 70% completion percentage to their opponents, the fifth-most passing yards per game, and the second-most passing touchdowns per game.

David Montgomery needs no introduction after the last four weeks of play for him. He has six touchdowns and over 100 yards per game in each of the last four games. Last week, Montgomery ran the ball 32 times for 146 yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears have also picked up Spencer Ware this week, who may see some time after Cordarrelle Patterson suffered an injury. The Jaguars have an atrocious rushing defense, allowing the third-most rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per attempt.

The Bears’ defense has not been clicking as well as they would have liked to in this part of the season, but they have been getting it done enough. Last game, they produced three sacks and one interception at the end of the game from an attempted hail mary pass. The Bears’ defense just allowed just 22.7 points per game and a little over 350 yards per game to their opponents this season. Their main target will be on getting to Gardner Minshew and containing James Robinson if he plays.

Chicago Bears Depth Chart

QB: Mitchell Trubisky
RB1: David Montgomery
RB2: Tarik Cohen
WR1: Allen Robinson
WR2: Ted Ginn
WR3: Anthony Miller
TE: Trey Burton

Betting Corner Bears -7

Spread: +/- 7
Moneyline: Bears -335, Jagaurs +280
Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction

Spread: Bears -7
Moneyline: Bears -335
Over/Under: o47.5

The Bears are in desperation mode to get wins for the playoffs. They have been playing well in recent games, especially on offense. Plus, the Jaguars might back off, taking a win that will take away their chances of getting Trevor Lawrence in next year’s draft. The Bears record ATS is 7-7 this season, while the Jaguars’ record ATS is 6-8. But I like the Bears to take the win and the spread in this one.

The Bears’ and Jaguars’ ATS records are the same for the over/under. This is a tough one, but if James Robinson plays, the Jaguars’ offense will be productive. This helps the case for the over, considering the Bears have put up 30+ points in their last three contests.

Love/Hate Fantasy Picks

Love

David Montgomery has been on fire in his last four weeks for fantasy. He has averaged 26.53 points per game in the last four weeks and has been the leader of the Bears’ offense. He may see a lot of carries in this game without Cordarrelle Patterson. The Jaguars have allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and Montgomery should take advantage.

Hate

D.J Chark has not looked well in recent games and has not scored a touchdown since week 9 against the Texans. He also only has eight catches in the last three games combined. He has projected 11.7 points at WR39, but I would not take the chance at starting him unless you have to. The Bears allow the fourth least amount of points to wide receivers this season.