Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Picks and Predictions December 16th 2024

Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears December 16th 2024

At 8:00 ET on Monday, December 16th, the Vikings will host the Bears in a week 15 NFC North matchup. The game is being televised by ABC, and the Vikings are favored by -7 on the point spread and have a money line of -323. The Bears’ money line odds are +256, and the over/under line is set at 44 points.

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Chicago vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Bears at Vikings
• Where: U.S. Bank Stadium Minneapolis
• Date: Monday, December 16th
• Betting Odds MIN -323 | CHI +256 O/U 44

The Bears Can Win If…

With their 38-13 loss to the 49ers in week 14, the Bears’ losing streak now stands at seven games, dropping them to 4-9 on the season. Chicago ranks 23rd in our NFL power rankings and has a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs. They are 0-6 on the road and 4-3 at home, including a 35-16 win over the Jaguars in week 6, their most recent victory.

Chicago is 7-5-1 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of -1.8 points per game. They are 3-1 ATS as favorites and 4-4-1 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 5-8, with their games averaging 40.9 points compared to a line of 42.8.

Heading into week 15, the Bears are 23rd in our offensive power rankings, averaging 19.5 points per game (22nd in the NFL). They rank 32nd in passing yards per game with 182.7, despite being 14th in passing attempts. On the ground, they are 23rd in rushing yards per game, with 105.8, on 25.8 attempts per game. Chicago ranks 27th in 3rd-down conversions, with a 33.9% success rate, but they are 6th in the league in red zone conversion percentage.

Caleb Williams had a passer rating of 116 in week 14, throwing for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17/23 passing. However, he was sacked 7 times in the loss to the 49ers. DJ Moore led the team with 6 catches for 49 yards, while D’Andre Swift had 38 rushing yards on 14 carries.

In their 38-13 loss to the 49ers, the Bears’ defense struggled to get off the field, allowing the 49ers to convert on 50% of their third down attempts. Chicago gave up 321 passing yards on just 20 completions, with two passing touchdowns. The Bears’ lone interception came from their secondary. The Bears’ defense also allowed a completion percentage of 76.9%.

On the defensive front, Chicago managed only one sack and had a tough time in the run game, allowing 131 rushing yards on 34 attempts. The Bears’ defense also allowed a big-play passing game, with the 49ers averaging 12.3 yards per attempt.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Chicago has a record of 0-3. Against the spread, Chicago went 1-1-1 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Chicago has put together a record of 3-7 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record vs the spread sits at 5-4-1 in these matchups, while posting a 5-5 over-under mark.

The Vikings Can Win If…

With a 42-21 win over the Falcons in week 14, the Vikings extended their winning streak to six games, improving to 11-2 this season. Minnesota ranks 7th in our NFL power rankings and has a 100% chance of making the playoffs, though they have just a 10.6% chance of winning the NFC North. The Vikings are 2-1 in division games and 6-2 in conference play, and they are 6-1 at home and 5-1 on the road.

Against the spread, the Vikings are 8-4-1, with a +7.6 scoring margin. They are 5-4-1 as favorites and 3-0 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 5-8, with their games averaging 44.5 points per game compared to an average line of 44.6.

Sam Darnold has been on fire for the Vikings, posting a passer rating of 157 in week 14, with 347 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Falcons. He had a strong 4th quarter, leading the team to 21 points. Darnold has thrown 2 touchdowns in week 13 and 330 yards in week 12. Jordan Addison had 8 catches for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 14, following his 99-yard game in week 13 and 162-yard performance in week 12.

Heading into week 15, the Vikings rank 10th in our offensive power rankings. They are 9th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 26.1, and 11th in yards per game with 351.4. They have been strong in the 1st quarter, ranking 2nd in the league in points scored.

Despite giving up 338 passing yards to the Falcons, the Vikings’ defense came away with two interceptions and held Atlanta to 21 points in their 42-21 win. The Falcons had a few big plays in the passing game, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt, but they were unable to capitalize in the red zone.

Minnesota struggled against the run, allowing 158 yards on 32 attempts, including a few big runs. They also struggled to get into the backfield, managing just one sack and losing the tackles for loss battle by a margin of -4.

• Minnesota will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 1-2 on the over/under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Vikings have gone 6-4 straight up. Against the spread, Minnesota went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

Our pick against the spread is to take the Bears to cover as road underdogs. With the point spread sitting at +7 in favor of the Bears, we have them not only covering but winning this week 15 matchup by a score of 21-19.

For the over/under, we are leaning towards taking the under, with the line currently at 44 points. Our projections have these teams finishing with 40 combined points, making the under a good play in this one.

Weekly Football Picks from The Best NFL Expert Handicappers

As Bears Visit, Vikings Aim for Seventh Straight Win with Sam Darnold Leading the Charge

The Minnesota Vikings are riding high, and their sights are set on a seventh consecutive victory when they face the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis. Led by quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikings (11-2) are proving to be a playoff powerhouse this season, while the Bears (4-9) continue to rebuild under the leadership of promising rookie Caleb Williams.

Sam Darnold’s Resurgence Fuels Vikings’ Playoff Push

At 27, Sam Darnold is having a breakout season, culminating in last week’s electrifying performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, showcasing the arm strength and accuracy that earned him praise from Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.

“Sam is wildly talented,” O’Connell said. “He’s making unbelievable throws and plays. He’s in a great place right now, and I have a ton of confidence in him moving forward.”

The Vikings’ potent offense, powered by Darnold, has become a force to be reckoned with. His ability to connect with star receivers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will be crucial in maintaining the team’s momentum as they eye a deep playoff run.

Caleb Williams: A Silver Lining in a Tough Season for Chicago

While the Bears’ season has been marred by struggles, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is emerging as a beacon of hope. Williams has completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,746 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 13 starts. His composure under pressure and willingness to take risks have impressed Bears interim coach Thomas Brown.

“He’s ripping the ball into tight windows and playing aggressive but smart football,” Brown said. “His progression is evident, and it’s something we’re excited to build on.”

Despite the team’s seven-game losing streak, Williams remains focused on improvement. “I still want to keep working on my footwork and rhythm,” Williams said. “It’s about making sure I’m consistent throughout the whole game.”

Key Matchups to Watch

Vikings’ Receiving Corps vs. Bears’ Secondary

Minnesota boasts one of the league’s most dynamic receiving groups, led by Justin Jefferson, who has 75 receptions for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and rookie Jordan Addison add further depth to this potent unit.

Defending these weapons will be a monumental challenge for the Bears’ secondary. Brown was candid about the difficulty of stopping a player like Jefferson. “He’s a problem,” Brown admitted. “There’s no magical formula for stopping elite players. The best you can do is try to disrupt the quarterback’s timing.”

Bears’ Ground Game vs. Vikings’ Front Seven

Chicago’s rushing attack, led by D’Andre Swift (742 yards), is a key component of their offense. However, Swift is dealing with a groin injury, and backup Roschon Johnson remains in concussion protocol. These setbacks could hinder the Bears’ ability to establish a balanced offensive attack against a Vikings defense that has tightened up in recent weeks.

Caleb Williams vs. Vikings’ Defense

Williams will face a stern test from a Vikings defense eager to replicate their earlier success against Chicago. In their first meeting this season, Minnesota edged out a 30-27 overtime win, with the defense making critical stops in key moments.

Injury Report and Game Implications

Injuries could play a pivotal role in Monday’s game. The Bears are battling multiple setbacks, including Swift’s groin issue and defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr.’s knee injury. For the Vikings, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who missed last week’s game against Atlanta, remains questionable with a hamstring injury.

A win for Minnesota would solidify their playoff positioning and keep their winning streak alive. For Chicago, the focus is on gaining valuable experience for young players like Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze as they build for the future.

The Last Time They Met

The first meeting between these teams this season was a thriller, with the Vikings earning a 30-27 overtime victory in Chicago on Nov. 24. Sam Darnold threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns in that game, while Justin Jefferson hauled in a season-high 168 yards. For the Bears, Caleb Williams showed flashes of brilliance, passing for 289 yards and two scores in the narrow loss.

What to Expect on Monday Night

The Vikings are poised to continue their dominance, relying on Darnold’s leadership and a balanced offensive attack. Meanwhile, the Bears will look to spoil Minnesota’s streak by leaning on Williams’ growing confidence and an opportunistic defense.

While the Vikings are clear favorites, divisional games are often unpredictable, and the Bears’ young talent has the potential to surprise. If Chicago’s defense can pressure Darnold and force mistakes, they might have a shot at ending their skid.

Conclusion

As the Vikings aim to secure their seventh straight victory, Monday night’s matchup offers an intriguing blend of high-stakes football and developmental storylines. With Sam Darnold firing on all cylinders and Caleb Williams showing flashes of brilliance, fans can expect an exciting clash between two teams on different trajectories.

Final Prediction: Vikings 31, Bears 20