The first of two Monday Night Football matchups in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season features the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. We’ll continue diving into all of the primetime games this season, and this one isn’t any different. With that in mind, keep reading for betting odds, picks and player props for this exciting showdown. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 15 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.

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How To Watch Bears vs. Vikings

When: Monday, December 16th at 8:00 pm ET

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Channel: ABC/ESPN+

Bears vs. Vikings Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sunday, December 15th. Look around for the best prices!

Moneyline: Vikings -305, Bears +245

Spread: Vikings -6.5 (-115), Bears +6.5 (-105)

Total: Over 44 (-108), Under 44 (-112)

Bears vs. Vikings Analysis

The Vikings won 30-27 when they took on the Bears at Soldier Field on November 24th. However, that three-point game doesn’t seem to be convincing bettors that Chicago can hang around here. Our VSiN DraftKings betting splits page shows that nearly three quarters of the bets and handle are on Minnesota to cover the number here. Our Circa betting splits page also has about 70.0% of the bets coming in on the Vikings, but they have a little more money on the Bears.

When it comes to divisional games, it’s hard to suggest laying a touchdown — or even close to it. However, this is one of the rare exceptions in which it probably makes sense to do so. It’s just hard to ignore that Minnesota has an EPA per play of 0.050 this season. That’s a top-10 mark in the NFL this season. Meanwhile, Chicago’s EPA per play is -0.045, which has the team at 24th in the league. The Vikings also happen to be much better defensively. Minnesota is third in the NFL in EPA per play allowed (-0.095), while Chicago is 11th in the league (-0.008). The Bears have also gotten worse and worse on that side of the ball as the season has progressed.

Minnesota is simply a much better team on both sides of the ball. The Vikings are also playing for something, as they still have a shot at winning the NFC North — and finishing the regular season with the best record in the NFC. The Bears are just trying to get Caleb Williams some confidence heading into next year, but they hardly need a win.

Chicago also doesn’t have a real coaching staff right now, as head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron have both been fired. But Minnesota has some of the game’s brightest coaches on both sides of the ball, as head coach Kevin O’Connell is as good as it gets when calling shots on offense and defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a mastermind. That said, the Vikings aren’t just the more talented team, but they’ll also be the more prepared team. And I’m especially interested in seeing what Flores has for the Bears here. Minnesota’s defensive line should feast on a weak Chicago offensive line. So, you shouldn’t be surprised if Flores consistently has his guys getting pressure on Williams.

This could also be a game in which it makes some sense to look Over. The number opened at 46, but it’s down to a reasonable 43.5. These teams combined to score 57 points in their first meeting, and they’re now going to be playing in a dome. The Over is also 10-4-1 in the games Minnesota has played as a home favorite under O’Connell. And it’s 4-2 in the games the Vikings have played against teams with winning percentages of 25.0% to 40.0% in that span. I can see Minnesota jumping out to a big lead and then Chicago helping the Over hit as it tries to throw its way back in.

Bears vs. Vikings Player Props

Aaron Jones Over 63.5 Rushing Yards (-110)

Jones rushed 22 times for 106 yards when he faced the Bears on November 24th. He also rushed for a score in that game. This Bears team is rock-solid when it comes to defending the pass, as they’re 10th in the NFL in Dropback EPA per play allowed (0.011). But Chicago is 27th in Rush EPA per play allowed (-0.032). This is a lousy Bears rushing defense, so I like Jones to have his way on the ground. Not only do I like him to have at least 64 rushing yards, but I’d even look into laddering this up to 100. He has had at least 64 yards in eight of his 13 games this year. And there’s no reason he can’t flirt with 100 in the right matchups. This is one of them.

Bears vs. Vikings Pick

I strongly considered the Vikings and the Over here, but my favorite bet in this one is the Jones rushing yards prop. The 30-year-old has been running well over the last three weeks, and this Bears defense is going to have a hard time keeping him from hitting holes. Jones can put a big dent in this number with a big rush or two, and I think he’ll do just that.

Bet: Jones Over 63.5 Rushing Yards (-110)

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