Monday Night Football Preview

Monday Night Football definitely saves the best of Week 3 for last when the Green Bay Packers head to the Windy City to face the Chicago Bears.

These NFC North rivals put their 2-0 records on the line, while bettors are looking at a tricky pointspread. Oddsmakers at Bodog have tagged the Bears as 3-point home underdogs, having failed to cover in their last four head-to-heads with the Packers. However, Chicago brings a ton of momentum into Monday following a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.

A big reason for the Bears' 2-0 start is the transformation of running back Matt Forte. After a stellar rookie campaign, Forte fell victim to the sophomore slump in 2009, rushing for just 929 yards and four touchdowns. The LSU product was nearly invisible as Chicago worked quarterback Jay Cutler into its system last season.

But new offensive coordinator Mike Martz saw Forte's potential and has used the running back more as a receiver this year. Forte leads the Bears in receiving (188 yards), rushing (79 yards) and touchdowns (3) heading into Week 3. Last season, Forte put up efforts of 55 and 51 yards rushing in Chicago's two losses to Green Bay. He caught four balls for 17 yards in the 21-14 loss in Week 14.

Green Bay has been susceptible to the short screen pass in the past two games. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, the Packers gave up five catches for 47 yards to Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, who also added 35 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the 27-20 Packers victory as 3-point favorites.

Green Bay did a better job guarding against the short throw to the tailback in its 34-7 beating of the Buffalo Bills last weekend. However, a limited Bills attack was able to find rookie running back and jack-of-all-trades C.J. Spiller for four catches totaling 23 yards.

If the Packers want to go 3-0 and give their backers another payday against the Bears, they'll need to keep close tabs on Forte, which could open up the passing game for Cutler's rocket arm and speedsters Johnny Knox and Devin Hester.

Pick: Chicago +3