Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Picks and Predictions Week 15
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview
WagerTalk NFL handicapper Tony Mejia offers his Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Week 15 Monday Night Football betting preview. At the time of posting, the Vikings have climbed to a 6-point road favorite in Chicago, with the total sitting at 44 points.
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| NFL Week 15 | Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Minnesota Vikings -6 at Chicago Bears |
| Total: | 44 Points |
| Game Time: | 8:15pm ET / 5:15pm PT on Monday, December 20 |
| Stadium: | Soldier Field in Chicago |
| TV: | ESPN |
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Predictions
The Vikings are one of five teams looking to get to 7-7 in the NFC when this week’s action is in the books and they’ll be the last team up to try and get the job done since they’ll take the field on Monday night.
Washington, New Orleans, Atlanta and Philadelphia are also in that mix, hoping to gain some separation from the pack as they look to secure a playoff spot. No. 6 San Francisco is also within reach since it hosts the Falcons and WFT visits the Eagles so this is moving week of sorts in the conference. Minnesota gets to see how it all unfolds before looking to handle business as a road favorite against rival Chicago.
The extra day is also an advantage in that the Vikings are hoping to get WR Adam Thielen back from an ankle injury in order to take advantage of a depleted Bears defense, who continues to struggle without Khalil Mack. Head coach Mike Zimmer said the team is “hopeful” he’ll be back out there and his chances are improved by not having to suit up until Monday night.
Dalvin Cook returned from an injury to gash the Steelers in the Week 14 Thursday night game, picking up 205 yards while scoring twice. With backup Alexander Mattison expected to miss this game due to COVID protocols, it’s vital that Cook stays healthy in this first of two matchups with Chicago over the Vikes’ final four games in a 21-day span.
Minnesota is also hosting the Rams and visiting the Packers, which makes taking care of business against the Bears crucial if they’re realistically going to emerge as one of the NFC’s final seven survivors.
Although the Vikings have also been placed in enhanced protocols and have six players affected, Chicago has 12 guys out in addition to multiple coaches being forced out of the facility. Safety Eddie Jackson, WR Allen Robinson and LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe are among six players who went on the COVID list on Thursday. Both running backs, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, a pair of offensive linemen and starting tight end Cole Kmet are also dealing with non-COVID illnesses.
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor have all been sidelined. If players and coaches are vaccinated and asymptomatic, they could test out of protocols and rejoin the Bears in time for Monday’s contest with a couple of negative tests. It’s just another set of obstacles in what’s been a difficult season for the Bears.
Although Robert Quinn has continued to be a menace, playmakers on the Chicago defense are scarce these days with Mack out and Jackson having missed time even before this COVID issue. His potential absence should allow Vikings QB Kirk Cousins to continue excelling in what statistically has been his most impressive season yet. Cousins actually threw his first interception on third or fourth down this season and has been a major reason why the Vikings lead the NFL in fewest turnovers this season.
This is a great opportunity for Cousins to get back on track, particularly if he gets Thielen back to take some of the workload off superb second-year star Justin Jefferson. Cousins had a giveaway in three straight games this season for the first time after just three turnovers in his first 10 games but should be sharper against Chicago’s group, which has allowed a 100+ passer rating in seven of their last eight games after getting squashed 45-30 by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last Sunday night.
Chicago is getting improved play from rookie Justin Fields, which is one key objective for the 2021 season despite the fact it doesn’t look like a playoff game is in its immediate future. We’ll see how Fields manages if Lazor isn’t around to call plays from the box.
Another big story line in this game will be Cousins’ lack of success in primetime games but he did improve to 9-17 when the Vikes held on against the Steelers last time out. Although the forecast calls for temperatures in the low 20’s for this Monday night clash, rain, snow or heavy winds don’t appear to be part of the equation. That should allow both offenses to flourish against defenses that aren’t going to be anywhere near 100 percent. Ride the high side on 44 points.
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— WagerTalk (@WagerTalk) December 17, 2021
Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Analysis from GoldSheet
NFL Week 15 Prezidential Address
Looking for a 30-minute show that attacks NFL betting from every angle? The Prezidential Address is for you. Each week, Prez will go through the entire NFL schedule and offer his thoughts on bets against the spread, over/under totals, teaser options and player props. Prez breaks down this Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings clash at the 18:30 timestamp.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, first half lines and betting percentages for all of the NFL Week 15 games, including this Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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