Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings: NFL Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (12/16)

The NFC North battles it out in Game 1 of our Monday Night Football doubleheader, as the Chicago Bears travel to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears are limping their way through the final weeks of the season, as the playoffs are almost mathematically impossible at this point.

There was a glimmer of hope, as Chicago started off 4-2, winning three games in front of their home crowd. However, things fell apart after the bye week. The Bears are currently on a seven game losing streak, they have 3 divisional matchups remaining of their four games, and firing their head coach didn’t change a thing.

The Vikings are on the other side of the rainbow, or the top of it, depending on how you want to look at it. Minnesota is 11-2, one game back from the Lions (who are currently losing to the Bills), and have a chance to take down Detroit in Week 18 as well. They are very much playing for the NFC North Title, and I expect them to come out with some fire against Chicago.

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Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings: Monday Night Football

Matchup Information – Bears vs Vikings

• Venue & Location: US Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
• Date: Monday, December 16th, 2024
• Kick Off: 8:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ABC

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Bears +7 (-119)
• Vikings -7 (-101)

Money Line

• Bears +270
• Vikings -325

Total

• Over 43.5 (-115)
• Under 43.5 (-105)

NFC North Battle on Monday Night

Caleb Williams is making his first Monday Night Football start this weekend. He has to travel to a divisional foe, and finds himself as a touchdown underdog. Now, in Chicago’s seven game losing streak, four of those games were decided by 3 points or less, but the Bears scored less than 20 in 5 of those contests. The offense is clearly the issue.

They only scored 13 on the 49ers last week (giving up 38 doesn’t help either), and things will be just as tough against Minnesota.

The Vikings’ defense ranks 6th in the NFL in points per game, giving up less than 20. Those numbers are slightly inflated over their past few contests, including giving up 27 to this Chicago team on the road. I trust Brian Flores to make the adjustments needed to slow down Williams, and limit his success, especially on the road.

The Bears are also a Top 10 defense in terms of PPG, but offensively I don’t see them keeping up. Chicago is Bottom 8 in the NFL in scoring, and their numbers drop off by a field goal on the road. Minnesota is in the Top 10, scoring over 26 per contest. That is up to 28.7 at home and up to 31.7 over their last few weeks, including putting up 30 on the Bears and 42 against Atlanta last week.

We saw a total of 39 soar over at Soldier Field, and now it’s up to 43.5 in a dome at US Bank. I do see points from one side on Monday, but I don’t see Chicago doing their part for this over. Instead I’ll stick to a player prop.

Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Best Bets

Chicago vs Minnesota Prediction: Minnesota Wins & Covers, Over 43.5

Best Bet: Sam Darnold Over 251.5 Passing Yards (-114) SportsBettingAG

For starters, Sam Darnold had 330 yards against Chicago in their overtime win 3 weeks ago. He’s thrown 11 TDs and 0 picks in his L4 games, competing at least 62.5% of his passes in that stretch. Darnold’s only hit this line twice in his L4, ending the other games with 235 and 246 yards, but he’s coming off a fantastic outing against Atlanta.

The Vikings’ QB threw 28 passes for 22 completions (78.6%) for 347 yards and 5 TDs. He’s averaging 8.5 yards per completion, throwing for 253.7 yards per game, and they’ll need his arm to beat the Bears.

Chicago’s secondary is giving up over 285 passing yards per game over their L3. They typically allow more air yards on the road than at home, and they are the 2nd worst defense in terms of yards allowed per completion, giving up over 11.6 yards per catch. Sam Darnold has carved up this secondary once before, and at home I see him doing it again.

He’s only cleared this line in 6/13 games this year, but he’s done so in 4/6 at US Bank. Give me ole Sammy boy to sling that puppy on Monday Night.

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