Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings Pick – Odds and ATS Predictions

NFC North rivals will face off in Week 17 as the regular season comes to an end. The Chicago Bears have already clinched the division with an 11-4 record but could spoil the Minnesota Vikings chances as they sit at 8-6-1 and battling with the 8-7 Philadelphia Eagles for the final NFC Wildcard spot. The Vikings need to either beat the Bears to make the playoffs or hope for an Eagles loss. The Bears won’t be resting any starters in the first half at least, as they are wishing for a Los Angeles Rams loss to claim the No. 2 spot in the NFC.

Bears Riding High

Head coach Matt Nagy has reiterated that the Bears are going to Minnesota to win the game, not play their backups. If the Rams are up huge at halftime, maybe they’ll consider pulling their starters. Coach Nagy said the halftime Rams score would have to be extraordinary. For the Vikings sake, they’re hoping the Bears end up resting players, as you’d have to assume Khalil Mack would be one to be rested. Chicago took care of business against Minnesota back in Week 11 when they defeated the Vikings 25-20.

Mitch Trubisky was mediocre in the performance passing for just 165 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT’s, but having a dominant defense on his side always helps. Kirk Cousins was picked off twice, one coming in the 4thquarter by Eddie Jackson who returned it for a 27-yard touchdown. Luckily for Cousins and the Vikings, Jackson is likely to miss this week’s matchup as he looks to recover from his ankle sprain in time for the first round of the playoffs. The Vikings, much like every other team to take on Chicago, wasn’t able to run the ball against this stout Bears defensive front. Dalvin Cook only mustered up 9 carries for 12 yards in the first matchup, as the Bears allow the 2ndfewest rushing yards per game (81.1). Stefon Diggs went off in the previous matchup, catching 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Minnesota Must Win

Last week the Bears defeated the San Francisco 49ers 14-9, holding their opponent to zero touchdowns for a second time this season. Minnesota plays much better at home with a 5-2 record, while the Bears struggled a bit more on the road at 4-3. The Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, 27-9. Ever since the team fired their offensive coordinator, the offense has looked much more efficient.

Kirk Cousins looked good completing 21-of-28 pass attempts, for 253 yards and 3 TDs. Kyle Rudolph went insane reeling in 9 catches, for 122 yards and 2 TDs. Rudolph’s first touchdown reception came on a 44-yard hail mary pass to end the first half, and the Vikings are a tough team to compete with when you sprinkle in a productive Rudolph with Thielen and Diggs.