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For both the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears, the hopes of reaching the NFL postseason hang by a thread. The 7-8 Falcons meet the 6-9 Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field each knowing that everyone has to go right both in Chicago and elsewhere for their playoff dreams to stay alive.

Here, we preview a big game in Illinois and look at some of the best bets, prop picks, and ways to bet for the game.

NFL Week 17 Falcons vs. Bears odds preview

It’s now or never for the Falcons and Bears. This is the very definition of a must-win game.

The Falcons moved up to 7-8 with a big win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 to snap a two-game losing streak. Taylor Heinicke got the start last week over Desmond Ridder and was error-free, going 23-of-33 for 229 yards with one touchdown.

Standout rookie runner Bijan Robinson added 12 carries for 72 yards and seven catches for 50 yards.

Meanwhile, the streaking Bears have now won four in a row after beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 and they undoubtedly have both the momentum and the confidence on their side having rescued a season that looked dead a month ago to stay just about in the mix for a playoff berth.

Last week, Khalil Herbert had 20 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown for his second 100-yard game of the season, while Cole Kmet had four catches for 107 yards of his own, his first 100-yard game of the season. Wide receiver DJ Moore and running back D’Onta Foreman should both be good to go, boosting the Bears’ offense even further.

Chicago’s red-hot run is reflected in the fact that they are three-point home favorites for this one.

Kickoff on New Year’s Eve at Soldier Field is at noon CT.

NFL Week 17 Falcons vs. Bears best bet: Bears -2.5 (-118 or better)

The Bears are playing their best football of the season and facing a quarterback in Heinicke who has a low ceiling as a passer despite encouraging performances. You never really know what you’re going to get with the 2023 Falcons but even if Atlanta is at its best, Chicago’s tidal wave of momentum may drown the visitors. That’s without even mentioning the fact their defense has limited opponents to just 14.8 points per game over the past four games.

The Bears have covered the spread in four of five outings since Fields’ return from injury and are 7-4-1 ATS since the beginning of October. In stark contrast, the Falcons are a poor 2-4 against the spread on the road and will be very much out of their comfort zone in the below-zero temperatures and snow flurries that are forecast in Chicago on Sunday.

NFL Week 17 Falcons vs. Bears best bet: Under 38 points (-115 or better)

Given there’s expected to be a strong wind to add to already hostile conditions, get ready for some rock-pounding, attritional ground game football at Soldier Field.

The Falcons and the Bears do not put up a lot of points offensively, averaging 19 and 20 per game, respectively. Both of these teams are primarily runners, meaning we’ll likely see a lot of long drives and convoluted possessions, and each also turns the ball over often.

NFL Week 17 Falcons vs. Bears player prop: D’Onta Foreman over 34.5 rushing yards (-115 or better)

If the Bears can get the run game going early it could be a long night for the Falcons defense. Moore has been a repeated thorn in the Falcons’ side with 718 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games against them, but with the ball likely to be on the ground a lot, fellow returnee Foreman could have himself a day.

Herbert acted as the lead back in Week 16 and thrived, rushing for over 100 yards, but Foreman has been the primary force and will likely slot back into that role. The veteran is averaging 47.2 rushing yards per game this year, nearly 13 yards more than Sunday’s over/under. He’s exceeded this week’s over/under mark five times already this year and has hit the over six times on his rushing yards prop bet in nine opportunities, and has hit 50 or more yards in three of the last five weeks. With the conditions (environmental and tactical) likely to suit him, he’ll go over again here.

NFL Week 17 Falcons vs. Bears best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

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