The NFL kicks off its 100th-year anniversary this week in a classic matchup at Soldier Field. Oddsmakers have made the Chicago Bears 3-point favorites over the Green Bay Packers.

I feel the two teams are evenly matched, and figuring in home-field advantage, I make Chicago a 2¹/₂-point favorite. One might look at my line versus the actual line (3) and not see much of an edge, but the difference between 2¹/₂ and 3 in the NFL is huge.

The Packers were a disappointing 6-9-1 last season while the Bears went 12-4 and won the NFC North. I believe 2019 will be different for both clubs. The Packers should exceed what they did last season, and I believe the Bears will come back down to earth a bit. Chicago did much of its damage on defense and now their coordinator, Vic Fangio is gone, having become the head coach in Denver. Offensively, I think we all can agree Aaron Rodgers is better than Mitchell Trubisky.

Finally, here are some trends that make sense: The Bears are 0-4 against the spread in home openers versus division opponents. Rodgers is 42-18-1 straight up in division games throughout his career, and the Packers have owned this series, going 21-5 straight-up at Soldier Field since 1994.

Prediction: Packers will cover, +3. I will gladly take the points, but I believe it is worth putting a portion of your wager on the Packers on the money line, too, at +150.