by Rod Pearson
Friday, Dec 13, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Monday, December 16, 2024
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Bears +6.5, Vikings -6.5; Over/Under: 43.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Bears +7, Vikings -7; Over/Under: 44 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Bears +7, Vikings -7; Over/Under: 43.5 points
Season Record
Chicago Bears: 4-9 (4th place, NFC North)
Minnesota Vikings: 11-2 (2nd place, NFC North)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jim Feist is on a HOT STREAK in the NFL on a 28-17 NFL RUN for +$9,120 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Chicago Bears: lost their last game on the road against the San Francisco 49ers 38-13.
Minnesota Vikings: won their last game at home against the Atlanta Falcons 42-21.
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Preview and Analysis
The Bears are entering this game with a 4-9 record overall and they have a 0-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-3 in their home games, 0-6 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the San Francisco 49ers 38-13. Caleb Williams was the starting QB and he completed 17/23 passes for 134 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. D'Andre Swift led the team in rushing yards with 38. D. J. Moore led the receivers with 49 receiving yards on 6 receptions. T. J. Edwards led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while T. J. Edwards led the defense in sacks with 1. Jonathan Owens came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Vikings are entering this game with an 11-2 record overall and they have a 2-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-1 in their home games, 5-1 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Atlanta Falcons 42-21. Sam Darnold was the starting QB and he completed 22/28 passes for 347 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Aaron Jones led the team in rushing yards with 73 and 1 TD. Jordan Addison led the receivers with 133 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 3 TDs. Josh Metellus and Blake Cashman each led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Jamin Davis led the defense in sacks with 1. Josh Metellus and Byron Murphy Jr. each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Bears vs Vikings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Vikings listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Vikings have looked really good in their games this season with their 11-2 record overall which is one of the best records in the entire NFL, but that record only has them in 2nd place of the NFC North. They are trailing 1 game behind the Lions for the division though and still have a game against them so this is a big divisional game for them to stay right in this race. They are coming off a huge win over the Falcons in their last one and their offense has been starting to roll lately. Meanwhile, the Bears haven't looked good in their games this season with their 4-9 record overall which has them at the bottom of the NFC North and pretty much out of the playoff hunt. They had a really promising start to the season, but they have looked terrible over the last few weeks as they keep finding ways to lose close games. Now they have fired their head coach and they are coming off a bad 38-13 loss to the 49ers in their last one. They have looked a lot worse in their road games too with their 0-6 road record this season. Caleb Williams hasn't looked bad, but this team is a disaster and they are in a much worse place now than they were a few weeks ago when they lost to the Vikings in OT at home. Now they are going to the Vikings house as a complete mess of a team and the Vikings have been rolling over the last few weeks, getting themselves ready for a playoff run. The best way to place a bet here is on the Vikings to cover the spread in this game.
Bears Vikings Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Monday, December 16, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Vikings 31 Bears 14.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NFL predictions and previews.
NFL Betting Trends
Chicago Bears: 7-15 ATS as a road underdog. 2-10 ATS as a road underdog of 7 points or less. 4-8 ATS vs. poor passing defenses - allowing 235 or more passing yards/game. 9-5 OVER after 3 or more consecutive losses. 16-6 1H OVER as a road underdog. 9-5 1H OVER in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points.
Minnesota Vikings: 9-3 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 3-0 ATS vs. poor passing teams averaging 5.7 or less passing yards/att. 10-4 OVER as a home favorite. 10-5 OVER versus division opponents. 10-5 OVER versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 4.5 rushing yards/carry or more.
Key Injuries
Chicago Bears: D. Swift (RB) Injured - Groin. J. Blackwell (DB) Injured - Shoulder. T. Homer (RB) Injured - Head. R. Bates (OL) Injured - Concussion. E. Hicks (DB) Injured - Ankle. R. Johnson (RB) Injured - Concussion. G. Dexter (DL) Injured - Knee.
Minnesota Vikings: S. Gilmore (CB) Injured - Hamstring. A. Jones (RB) Injured - Back. P. Jones (OLB) Injured - Knee. J. Oliver (TE) Injured - Wrist. A. Van Ginkel (OLB) Injured - Hip.
Notable Quotes
“We got our (butt) kicked today. There’s no way around it. We got it handed to us. Offense, defense, special teams, we have to come out and be better." - Caleb Williams after their loss against the 49ers in their last game.
“It just felt like it was one of those days to keep the gas pedal down.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s win against the Falcons in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Chicago Bears
WR Moore, DJ
WR Odunze, Rome
WR Allen, Keenan
TE Kmet, Cole
QB Williams, Caleb
RB Swift, D'Andre
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Nailor, Jalen
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Darnold, Sam
RB Jones, Aaron
FB Ham, C.J.
Statistical Leaders
Chicago Bears
Passing: C. Williams (2746)
Rushing: D. Swift (742)
Receiving: D. Moore (712)
Touchdowns: R. Johnson (6)
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: S. Darnold (3299)
Rushing: A. Jones (893)
Receiving: J. Jefferson (1170)
Touchdowns: J. Addison (8)
Coaches:
Chicago Bears: Thomas Brown (Interim)
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
