MNF Bears vs. Vikings Week 12 odds and predictions
Every week, VSiN will be doing an in-depth dive on the week’s Monday Night Football game. In Week 12, that game features the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears are coming off a 31-26 loss to the Detroit Lions this week, which was rough considering Chicago was up 12 with less than five minutes to play. Meanwhile, the Vikings are coming off a 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos. However, they have still won five of their last six games and they covered in all six. With that out of the way, keep reading for our Bears vs. Vikings preview, picks and player props.
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How To Watch Bears vs. Vikings
Date: Monday, November 27
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Bears vs. Vikings Spread
The Bears are coming off a rough loss to the Lions, as they had a 26-14 lead with four minutes and 15 seconds remaining. But Chicago was way too conservative late in the game, which gave Detroit the opportunity to come back. The Bears were really looking great offensively and they might have won had they put a little more trust in Justin Fields, who threw for 169 yards with a touchdown and no picks and also rushed for 104 yards in the game. One would hope that Chicago learned its lesson, as I like the team’s chances in this road game against Minnesota.
This Bears offense has the potential to be really potent down the stretch. Fields has just looked like a completely different quarterback in the last three complete games he has played. So, when you combine his play under center with a running game that is ranked ninth in the league in Offensive DVOA, you’re suddenly looking at a team that has a little life. Of course, Minnesota’s defense has been great since a slow start to the season. But the Vikings are far from perfect on that side of the ball, and the Bears will have openings here. Also, Fields’ ability to take off and run makes things harder on any defense.
As for the Bears defense, the team is actually 11th in the league in Defensive DVOA against the run. So, a mediocre Vikings running game should struggle here. That’ll put this result on the shoulders of Josh Dobbs, who has played well since being acquired by Minnesota. But Dobbs did fold a little under the pressure against the Broncos last week. And he will likely look worse and worse as teams get more film on him in this Vikings offense. That was the story of his season with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Vikings are also just 6-9 against the spread when playing at home under Kevin O’Connell. That’s not exactly inspiring heading into this game. I simply see this as a game that should be close late, but I actually like Chicago’s chances of winning this thing outright.
Bears vs. Vikings Total
This is a game in which I don’t have a strong feeling on the total, but I’d lean towards it being a little higher in scoring. Last week, Chicago and Detroit combined to score 57 points, and I do think Fields’ presence means more shootouts for the Bears down the stretch. The Over had also hit in two Vikings games in a row before a difficult road matchup with the Broncos. And the fact that both of these teams have mobile quarterbacks means that big plays could come out nowhere in the form of broken plays.
The Over also happens to be 9-2 when Minnesota has faced teams that complete at least 61.0% of their passes in the second half of the year under O’Connell. And the average total points scored in those games was 54.6 points per game.
Bears vs. Vikings Player Props
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D.J. Moore Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-113 – Play to -130)
Moore is coming off a game in which he caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Moore has now had at least 96 yards in three of the last four games that Fields played, and the other was the game in which Fields got hurt against this Vikings team. If Fields never went down, Moore easily could have gone for at least 60 yards. After all, he caught five passes for 51 yards in that game anyway. I just think Fields has turned the corner as a passer and that directly benefits Moore. I wouldn’t be surprised if he flirts with 100 yards here.
Bears vs. Vikings Prediction
I have maintained all year that the Bears aren’t nearly as bad as their record. And I thought they were impressive in last week’s loss to the Lions. If they bring that same effort, they should be able to steal this game on the road. But I’d take the points just to be safe.
Lean: Bears +3
Head to our Pro Picks page to see how VSiN analysts are betting Bears vs. Vikings!
