The Bears aren't good. But neither are the 5-7 Bengals. Cincinnati has just two victories by more than four points.

The Bengals are in no position to lay this many points following their brutal Monday night loss to the Steelers, which realistically eliminated them from playoff contention.

Marvin Lewis is coaching his final season. He's not going to be able to get his team up for the lowly Bears after they blew a 17-point lead to the Steelers. The Bengals would be hard-pressed to cover a touchdown even if they were healthy - which they are not. The battered Bengals may be minus seven starters if star defensive tackle Geno Atkins can't go because of a toe injury.

The Bengals already are down their best running back, Joe MIxon, and top tackler, Vontaze Burfict. They also aren't likely to have linebacker Nick Virgil and three/fourths of their starting secondary with Adam Jones, Dre Kilpatrick and Shawn Williams all injured.

I'm not a fan of John Fox. But I can at least trust the Bears to put forth a strong effort against Cincinnati. Fox is coaching for his future. HIs team won't quit.

The Bengals offense isn't strong enough to product many points, which the oddsmaker acknowledges with this low total, and their defense is extremely beat-up. The Bears will hang in and are live 'dogs to win straight-up.