The Chicago Bears (4-6) host their longtime NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings (8-2). Our Vikings vs. Bears prediction is for underdog Chicago to upset Minnesota. The teams will combine to score more than 39.5 points.
Head-to-head, the Vikings lead with a record of 66-58-2.
Offshore Odds: Vikings Favored By 3.5 Points on the Road
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | -3.5 (-105) | -175 | O 39.5 (-110) |
| Bears | +3.5 (-115) | +155 | U 39.5 (-110) |
Minnesota Needs Win to Keep Division Hopes Alive
Minnesota has done its best to keep pace with scorching-hot Detroit in the NFL‘s toughest division. Their remaining schedules are comparably difficult, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility to think the last game of the regular season might be for the division and home field throughout the NFC playoffs.
But first, they need to beat the struggling Bears.
In Week 11 against Tennessee, quarterback Sam Darnold rebounded from his horrific performance against Jacksonville in Week 10 when he threw three picks. Minnesota was lucky to escape with a 12-7 win.
In Tennessee, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 246 yards and two TD passes in the 23-13 win. Against Chicago, ball security will be key. Two of the few areas in which the Bears have played well are takeaway differential (+9) and pass defense (ninth in the league in yards allowed per game).
Sound fundamentals are imperative against a reeling team. Minnesota needs to run the ball, so expect running back Aaron Jones to get plenty of work.
Big Changes Pending in Chicago
Chicago’s fourth straight loss followed a familiar script. Though their offense was more aggressive under interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, they lost when Green Bay’s Karl Brooks blocked Cairo Santos’ attempted game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired.
It’s difficult not to have empathy for Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. He has been working his way up the coaching ranks for 30 years and was Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator for four years before being hired by the Bears.
Barring a miraculous run to the playoffs, he will be fired in favor of an offensive-minded upstart who can maximize and develop rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
It’s easy to point to the Week 8 Hail Mary loss to Washington and say that’s where the season came apart. They were one batted-down pass away from being 5-2. Now, here they are, 4-6 and in last place.
With the season essentially over, a head coach awaiting his inevitable fate, a new OC, and a frustrated team, there’s nothing to lose. They are also due a little luck. Minnesota is vulnerable to the pass, so Williams should come out firing.
Vikings vs Bears Prediction: Chicago Pulls Off an Upset
Despite its 8-2 record and three-game winning streak, the Vikings have struggled. With an angry Bears team at home, the landscape screams “upset.”
Chicago will win outright and the teams will score at least 40 points.
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