Credit: Jonathan Daniel / Staff
Pictured: Justin Fields
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton’s been the overwhelming favorite to start for the Chicago Bears in Week 1. However, Justin Fields may have closed the gap following an electric debut.
Fields has shifted from +350 to +190 at DraftKings to take the team’s first snap after leading the Bears to a 20-13 win over the Dolphins.
Justin Fields for six. Start this man Week 1. pic.twitter.com/ew0MW5HXsq
— Action Network NFL (@ActionNetNFL) August 14, 2021
Fields relieved Dalton following a pair of three and outs to start the game.
The rookie failed to convert a first down across his first three drives, before leading the offense to points in three of the final four.
Fields finished 14-of-20 through the air with one passing touchdown. He added another 33 yards and additional touchdown with his legs.
Fields — the Bears’ first-round draft pick in 2021 — spent one season at the University of Georgia before transferring to Ohio State. He accounted for a whopping 78 total touchdowns across 22 starts with the Buckeyes.
Fields and the Bears host the Bills on Saturday in their second preseason matchup. Chicago opened as a 2-point favorite, but was quickly bet up to -4.5. The total, meanwhile, has ticked up from 37 to 38.5.
Chicago is currently +550 to win the NFC North at DraftKings, behind the Vikings (+250) and Packers (+160).
The same sportsbook is offering plenty of other quarterback battles to bet ahead of Week 1, including the Saints (Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill) and Patriots (Mac Jones/Cam Newton).
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