Vegas Play of the Day: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears

By Case Keefer (contact)

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 | 12:09 p.m.

The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now under way, effective July 1.

Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.

Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.

Bears plus-3 vs. Rams: $330 to win $300

I don't have much of an opinion on this week's Sunday Night Football game, but I also don't have a lot of other options — football-wise — after not posting the Play of the Day until late today. There might be slight value here considering I made the Rams a 2-point favorite — and that was with the knowledge that Chase Daniel may start for the Bears at the beginning of the week.

Starter Mitchell Trubisky is now expected to return, though. It's well-established that there's no difference between the two quarterbacks in the betting market. But is it accurate?

I'm not so sure. I'd rather have Trubisky than Daniel, and think the second-year pro has been better than he's been given credit this season. That has a lot to do with Chicago coach Matt Nagy, the rare playcaller who can match wits with Los Angeles coach Sean McVay.

The Rams will still have an edge on offense, but I'm not sure it outweighs the Bears' advantage on defense. Chicago has the best defense Los Angeles has played this season, and it may take a while to adjust.

That will keep the score close, and make every point valuable.

Current Standings: Brewer (11-12-1, $9,060), Keefer (18-17-2, $8,956), Emerson (0-0, $8,425), Grimala (11-11-1, $5,205)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.