Week 8 Bears vs Commanders: Odds, Picks, and Predictions

• The Washington Commanders (5-2) host the Chicago Bears (4-2) Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
• Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a rib injury.
• Read on for our analysis of the lines, predictions and top odds for this Sunday Week 8 showdown.

It may not be No. 1 vs. No. 2 like we all wanted, but it’s still a battle of two top teams in the NFC when the Washington Commanders (5-2, 5-1-1 ATS) host the Chicago Bears (4-2, 4-1-1 ATS) Sunday.

The Bears have won three in a row for the first time since the first three games of the 2020 season, back when Mitch Trubisky was the starting quarterback.

All eyes are on the two quarterbacks in this game as the Bears feature Caleb Williams, the overall No. 1 pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, while the Commanders have the No. 2 pick in quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders odds

Odds as of October 26 at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure to check out our best Caesars Sportsbook promos before placing a bet on any Week 8 NFL matchup.

The big news leading into this game is the status of Daniels, who suffered a rib injury early in the Commanders’ victory over the Carolina Panthers. Daniels did not practice most of the week. The Commanders have labeled Daniels “week to week” which is usually code for he won’t play.

With such uncertainty about Daniels’ status, naturally the line in this game has moved around quite a bit. Caesars had this game as a pick’em last Sunday, but now the Bears are anywhere from a 3 to 2.5-point favorite, depending on the sportsbook. The over/under is at 43, but FanDuel has it at 43.5.

Smart players can find the best moneyline bets on both teams at Caesars.

What Say You, Jayden?

The rookie quarterback from LSU has been the catalyst for the Commanders’ impressive start. He leads the NFL in completion percentage at 75.6 percent. He’s thrown for 1,410 yards and six touchdowns, and he’s also used his mobility to run for 372 yards.

While in college, Daniels did absorb some big hits, which was a knock on him coming out of college.

Marcus Mariota showed up and showed out when the @Commanders called on him yesterday 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DDSsS0QAwO

— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2024

The Commanders’ offense ranks No. 1 in points and didn’t miss a beat when Marcus Mariota came on in relief against the Panthers. Mariota, a former starter in Atlanta and Tennessee, threw for 203 against the Panthers, but, it was the Panthers.

It’s A Bear Market

Chicago had a bye week after demolishing the Jaguars in London. Rookie Bears QB Caleb Williams hasn’t done anything flashy, but he hasn’t been a Black Hole of mistakes like so many other Bear quarterbacks of the past.

Once again, it’s the Bears defense leading the way. Chicago is third in the NFL in turnover differential at +6 (Washington is +3). They rank seventh against the pass. The last time these two teams played, Bears WR DJ Moore set all kinds of records receiving.

However, it must be noted that neither team has a victory over a team with a winning record.

How many yards will DJ Moore have against the Commanders this year? pic.twitter.com/qSGR0GzWcJ

— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) October 19, 2024

Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders Prediction

• Commanders +3 (-115 at FanDuel)
• Under 43.5 (-105 at FanDuel)

Daniels has changed the whole vibe of the Commanders franchise. He’s a lot like Lamar Jackson (the comparisons are inevitable), but even if he doesn’t play, Mariota is capable. Mariota still moves well and is accurate. He just makes mistakes when he tries too hard.

But we’re not really sure the Bears are that good. Chicago has beaten the Titans, Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. Those four teams have combined for six wins. While Washington hasn’t beaten a winning team either, it has played the Ravens close, which is more than the Bears can say.

Washington’s defense is led by Bobby Wagner, who is still playing at a high level at the age of 34. Nothing the Bears do will fool him. The Bears don’t have an offense that can make big plays when they get behind. The Washington home crowd will be in it. Washington will win straight up.

The Week 8 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders is shaping up to be an exciting game with both teams looking to secure a much-needed win. Let’s take a closer look at the odds, picks, and predictions for this highly anticipated showdown.

The Bears are coming off a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, but they will be looking to bounce back and get back on track against the Commanders. Chicago’s offense has struggled at times this season, but they have shown flashes of potential with quarterback Justin Fields leading the way. The defense has been solid, ranking in the top 10 in total defense and points allowed per game.

On the other side, the Commanders have had a disappointing season so far with a 2-5 record. However, they have shown some promise on offense with quarterback Taylor Heinicke and running back Antonio Gibson leading the way. The defense has been a weak spot for Washington, ranking near the bottom of the league in total defense and points allowed per game.

As for the odds, the Bears are currently listed as 3-point favorites over the Commanders. This is likely due to Chicago’s stronger overall performance this season and the home-field advantage they will have in this matchup. The over/under for the game is set at 42 points, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a relatively low-scoring affair.

In terms of picks and predictions, it’s tough to say which way this game will go. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and it could come down to which side can execute better on both sides of the ball. The Bears will need to establish a consistent running game and protect Fields in order to have success against Washington’s defense. The Commanders, on the other hand, will need to find ways to generate more pressure on defense and create big plays on offense.

Ultimately, I believe the Bears will come out on top in this matchup. They have shown more consistency and potential on both sides of the ball this season, and I think they will be able to take advantage of Washington’s weaknesses. Look for Chicago to control the game with their defense and grind out a hard-fought victory over the Commanders.