The Monsters of the Midway are in the Big Apple this evening for a Monday Night Football showdown with the Giants. Tonight's nationally televised exhibition contest (ESPN), which officially concludes week two of the preseason, is scheduled for an 8:00pm ET kickoff at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Bears vs Giants odds have New York listed as a -4.5 against the spread home favorite and the game total set at 35.5 points. The latest moneyline information at our NFL Odds page has the Bears pegged as a +175 underdog.
Chicago fielded the most 
porous offensive line in the league a season ago, and if its first preseason game was any indication, quarterback Jay Cutler ought to prepare for more abuse this year.
The Bears did secure a 10-3 victory over the Bills last week, but the boys upfront had little to do with the win as they allowed nine Buffalo sacks, including two to former Charger Shawne Merriman. Chicago, inspite of the Bills jailbreak pass rush, out-gained Chan Gailey's squad 258 yards to 190.
Given the Giants vaunted defensive line and what it did to Cutler last year (10 sacks in a 17-3 win), Head Coach Lovie Smith might consider limiting his franchise quarterback's minutes tonight. Cutler did not indicate he was worried about another wretched performance from the offensive line, but comments he made to the Washington Post earlier this week revealed that last season's debacle had not escaped his memory.
"You know, it's a preseason game so we've got to take it for what it is and do our job and hopefully we won't have a repeat of last year," Cutler said.
New York did not look good in its exhibition opener either, falling to the Panthers 20-10 at Bank of America Stadium. The Giants jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but they went into the half down 10-13.
Carolina finished with more first downs than New York, despite converting just one of its 13 third down opportunities and turning the ball over two times, and it tallied 342 total yards to the Giants 298.
While poor preseason showings are usually dismissed as just that, Tom Coughlin is looking for his team to meet this evening's challenge and relieve some his own uncertainties.
"I would like to see players at various spots play well, step up and answer some questions for us," Coughlin said.
Bears vs Giants Odds 2011 NFL Week 2 Preseason:
Chicago Bears +4.5 (-110), Over 35.5 Points (-110), +175 (Moneyline)
New York Giants -4.5 (-110), Under 35.5 Points (-110), -210 (Moneyline)
