Some games still have some meaning in Week 18 of the NFL, however the Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game doesn’t. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, and they’re just playing the season out Sunday in Minnesota. It’s time to check our NFL Betting analysis for the upcoming match between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Betting Preview for Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings
Chicago vs Minnesota | A Closer Look
There are some storylines surrounding this game. The first one involves the quarterbacks of both teams. The Bears just announced that rookie Justin Fields would be getting the start on Sunday. Fields had missed multiple games due to injury, but he’s healthy enough to get back onto the field. Many will question this decision, as what do the Bears have to play for, but Fields will be the starter.
There is also a lot of talk about the Vikings’ signal-caller. An unvaccinated Kirk Cousins missed last week’s game after he tested positive for Covid. Sean Mannion took his place and didn’t play well in a blowout loss to Green Bay. We’re still unsure whether or not Cousins will be available on Sunday, as he will need to test negative prior to being cleared.
And the final main storyline is the status of both teams’ head coaches. It has been rumored for the last few weeks that Bears head coach Matt Nagy will be coaching his last game for the Bears on Sunday. Even though the Bears have won two in a row, many feel that the decision to let go of Nagy has already been made.
Rumors are swirling around Minneapolis that Mike Zimmer could be coaching his last game as well. Minnesota hasn’t gotten to the playoffs the last two seasons, and many feel that the team needs a new direction. We’ll see whether or not Zimmer returns
The last time these two met, we saw a low-scoring affair in Week 15, as the Vikings won 17-9. We could see more points scored this time, as the Vikings’ secondary has been ravaged by injuries, and the Bears will also be missing some key defensive pieces. We’re not sure how much the Vikings will put Dalvin Cook on the field, as he has fought injuries throughout the season, and they may not want to risk a long-term injury to their star player.
The Minnesota Vikings are the favorites in this one, as the oddsmakers have made them a 2.5-point favorite. In looking at the betting numbers, in their two straight wins, the Bears have covered the spread in both of those games.
Pick
We’re leaning towards the Bears in this one, and here’s why. In the last two seasons when Matt Nagy’s job has been on the line, the Bears have stepped it up and played well. Last season they lost six in a row, and many were ready to replace Nagy then. The Bears went on a winning streak and his job was saved.
The same thing seems to be happening again this year. The Bears have won two straight and have all the momentum heading into this one. Even though we don’t think Nagy’s job can be saved this time, we still think that the Bears go into Minnesota and win this one outright.
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