KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ CHICAGO BEARS 
Vegas Line: Chiefs + 7
Rob’s Line: Chiefs + 7.5
As NFL storylines go, this one’s a beauty. This is a matchup between the team who wanted Kyle Orton more than anybody else against the team who claimed him off waivers before the team that really wanted him could get him and the team that now have him won’t commit to playing him against that team that really wanted him. You still with me?
Orton was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 Draft, where he spent four seasons before being traded to Denver and, having been released by the Broncos last week, he would’ve loved to have fallen back into the hands of the Bears, who put in the obvious waiver claim, but, because Kansas City currently has a lesser record, they were awarded the rights to Orton having put in their own claim.
I was sorely tempted to offer the Chiefs plus 8.5, but haven’t based purely on the Bears having to rely on Caleb Hanie at quarterback. His stats last week (18 of 36, 254 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs) I suppose are reflective of a backup quarterback throwing his first passes of the season, but his team was on a roll on the back of a five game winning streak so I would hope his coaches expressed some dissatisfaction at his performance. It makes it increasingly unlikely he’ll be attempting 36 passes again this week, particularly when you can unleash Matt Forte on a KC defense that ranks 26th against the run.
I really want Chicago to get a widcard spot as the playoffs need someone like Forte and if it helps him get the contract he wants elsewhere (the Bears are stalling), then good luck to him…they’ll miss not just his production if he does leave, but also his heart.
So, back to Orton – Chiefs coach Todd Haley is refusing to name his starting QB for Sunday, only hinting that Tyler Palko will make his third consecutive start and if that is what happens, well, I don’t know what to make of it. He’s thrown 0 TDs and 6 INTs so far and while it was against the Patriots and Steelers, wouldn’t you, if you were a Chiefs fan, at least want to know what Orton could do with the offense in order to gauge whether or not to invite him back next year? Here’s the bottom line: Orton has five games in Kansas City…he could leave as a free agent next March.
Whoever does start for KC will be up against a Bears defense that ranks 30th against the pass, but I’m wary of having too much faith in a QB whose confidence is eroding week on week or a seasoned veteran still getting to grips with a new playbook (consider Carson Palmer’s early troubles in Oakland) – and all of this in the intimidating atmosphere of Soldier Field. That said, Orton would be unaffected by the latter.
I expect Hanie to not be given enough chances to make mistakes this week and for Forte to be asked to carry the offense so the Bears will be in safer hands this Sunday. Kansas City’s running back by committee approach may struggle to pierce a Bears run D giving up just 98 yards per game and this is a contest that means a hell of a lot more to Chicago than it does KC so motivation will be high on the home sideline. The Bears to get back into their playoff groove and to cover the spread.
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