NFL Picks, Week 3: Bears, Fields Will Challenge Browns

• Chicago Bears rookie QB Justin Fields will make his first NFL start in Week 3 at the Cleveland Browns.

• The Browns are 7.5-point home favorites at BetMGM with a -357 moneyline against the Bears.

• We see value in the underdogs keeping this one close with a combo of Fields' playmaking ability and a stout defense.

Fields Era Is Here

It's been a long time coming for the Chicago Bears and their fans, who have suffered for decades with incompetence at QB. Finally, It looks as though they have joined the modern era at the position. Rookie QB Justin Fields will get his first NFL start for the Bears this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. After replacing Andy Dalton late in the second quarter of last week's game against the Bengals, Fields went 6 of 13 passing for 60 yards with an interception. He was blitzed on eight of his 23 dropbacks — resulting in him quickly turning to his legs as he rushed 10 times.

Having a full week of practice and first-team reps will help Fields, as will getting to face a Browns defense that has been disappointing to say the least through two weeks.

Bears Can Keep Pace

The Browns were torched by Tyrod Taylor and the Texans in the first half last week, as he went 10-for-11 for 125 yards with a touchdown, plus letting him run a score in as well. Cleveland was tied 14-14 at halftime in its home opener against a very poor team, but pulled away in the second half mostly because Taylor got hurt and rookie Davis Mills was bad.

Cleveland's offense has looked good and will be able to put up points, but the Bears defense is competent enough to keep them in the game. After how bad the Browns looked in their home opener against a terrible Texans team, I can't justify giving them a touchdown against a tough Bears squad with Fields at QB.