Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Predictions, Picks, Odds

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The final week of regular-season NFL action will resume on Sunday afternoon with a matchup for NFC North bragging rights between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Coverage begins from U.S. Bank Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

SCORE PREDICTION

Vikings 27, Bears 23

BEST BETS

Under 44.5 (-110) at BetMGM

CHICAGO BEARS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS PREDICTIONS

After finishing third in the NFC North with a record of 7-9 SU last year, Minnesota stumbled out to a frustrating start to this season, as the Vikings opened with a discouraging 3-5 SU and 4-4 ATS stretch – with all five of those SU losses coming by seven points or less.

Minnesota has been the epitome of mediocrity since the halfway point of the season though, as the Vikings sit at 4-4 SU and ATS across the last five games – which is somewhat of an accomplishment by Kirk Cousins and the offense (25 PPG), considering their defense surrendered a lofty average of 27.3 PPG during that timeframe.

On the other hand, Chicago also posted a disappointing start to the season, as the Bears kicked things off with a lackluster 3-6 SU and 4-5 ATS skid – while averaging just 16.7 PPG on 298.8 YDS offensively across that timeframe.

Chicago has played decent football over the last few weeks though, considering the Bears are 2-2 SU and ATS across their latest four-game stretch – highlighted by Justin Fields and the offense scoring 25+ PTS in three of those contests (23.3 PPG, 320.8 YPG).

I’ll take the over here, as I expect to see a competitive high-scoring battle between a Vikings squad that has averaged 25 PPG across the back half of the season – and a Bears squad that has scored 25+ PTS in three of the last four games.

CHICAGO BEARS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

The Vikings enter Sunday’s contest as 5.5-point home favorites over the visiting Bears, which marks the fifth time Chicago has been an underdog across the last six games.

The total for Sunday’s affair is stationed south of OU 44 at most shops – marking just the second time the over-under for a Bears’ game has stooped below OU 45 this season.

CHICAGO BEARS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS BETTING RESOURCES

Matchup: NFC North
Date: Sunday, January 9, 2022
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

CHICAGO BEARS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 6-10
ATS: 6-10
O/U: 6-10
ATS - Away: 3-5

After finishing second in the NFC North with a record of 8-8 SU last year, Chicago played decent football to open the season, as the Bears went 3-2 SU across Weeks 1 through 5, despite their offense averaging just 16.8 PPG during that timeframe – compared to their defense surrendering 20 PPG.

Chicago has cranked up the heat offensively over the last few weeks though, as despite still ranking 26th in scoring and 28th in total offense (18.4 PPG,304.3 YPG) – the Bears have scored 25+ PTS in three of their last four games (23.3 PPG).

MINNESOTA VIKINGS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 7-9
ATS: 8-8
O/U: 3-4
ATS - Home: 10-6

After a relatively average 7-9 SU and 8-8 ATS showing last year, Minnesota has strung together a nearly identical 2021 campaign, as the Vikings enter Week 18 sitting at 7-9 SU and 8-8 ATS – which is exactly what the oddsmakers called for, considering they were favored in seven of those affairs.

**The Bears are 6-3 ATS in their last nine matchups against Minnesota. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - CHICAGO BEARS

Record: 6-10
Division Standing: 3rd - NFC North
Points Scored: 294
Points Allowed: 376
PS/G: 18.4 (26th)
PA/G: 23.5 (20th)

INSIDE THE STATS - MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 7-9
Division Standing: 2nd - NFC North
Points Scored: 394
Points Allowed: 409
PS/G: 24.6 (14th)
PA/G: 25.6 (25th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

CHI: Justin Fields - QB (58.9% CMP, 1,870 YDS, 7 TD, 10 INT)
CHI: David Montgomery - RB (205 CAR, 40 REC, 1,071 TOT YDS, 7 TD)
MIN: Kirk Cousins - QB (66.4% CMP, 3,971 YDS, 30 TD, 7 INT)
MIN: Justin Jefferson - WR (103 REC, 1,509 YDS, 9 TD)

CHICAGO BEARS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS BETTING CONCLUSION

After posting back-to-back losses to the Rams and Packers, the Vikings enter Sunday afternoon’s contest as 5.5-point home favorites over the visiting Bears – marking the fifth time Chicago has been an underdog across the last six games.

I’ll take the over here, as the Bears’ offense has played well as of late, currently averaging 23.3 PPG across their last four games – but I somewhat doubt that will be enough to take down a Vikings’ squad averaging 25 PPG across their last eight affairs.

CHICAGO BEARS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS BETTING TRENDS

The Bears are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games against Minnesota.
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of the last 20 matchups between Minnesota and Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the last 15 Bears' games.
The total has gone OVER in six of the last seven Vikings' games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson