Sunday’s bundle of Week 15 NFL games are officially in the books, meaning that fans are now turning their attention to an exciting Monday Night Football contest. This week’s game features a collision between a pair of NFC North teams as the Minnesota Vikings (6-7) go head-to-head against the Chicago Bears (4-9). Both teams will be looking to give their fans something to cheer about as the season winds down, which should make for some entertaining football action.
This is the first meeting of the season between the two division rivals, with the second game taking place in Week 18. Minnesota and Chicago split the season series, 1-1, in 2020.
Keeping that in mind, there’s a lot to take account of before tonight’s Monday Night Football clash, so continue reading this guide for the betting odds heading into the matchup — with odds courtesy of BetOnline.
Vikings vs Bears General Information and Statistics
Tonight’s game will be held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, where the Bears currently have a home record of 2-4. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST and the contest itself can be viewed on ESPN and other streaming platforms around the world.
The Vikings are currently averaging 26.5 points per game, which is the ninth-best average in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Bears are averaging 17.8 PPG — the fifth-worst average. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing 25.6 PPG (26th) while Chicago is surrendering 25.5 PPG (24th).
Monday Night Football: Vikings vs Bears Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Monday, December 13
- Minnesota Vikings (6-7) vs Chicago Bears (4-9)
- Moneyline: Vikings (-300) vs Bears (+250)
- Spread: Vikings -6.5 (-116) vs Bears +6.5 (-104)
- Total: 44.5 — Over (-110), Under (-110)
- Head-to-Head: The Bears are 6-4 against the Vikings in their last 10 matchups.
A complete list of odds and prop markets is available at BetOnline.ag.
Vikings Look to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
After a 36-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14, the Vikings look to reach a .500 record for the third time this season. By doing so, they’ll be able to keep their remaining playoff hopes alive.
The good news for Minnesota ahead of Monday Night Football is that its offense has been exploding as of late, scoring at least 26 points in each of the team’s last six games. They have a good chance at continuing that trend against a weak Bears defense, especially if Dalvin Cook plays as he did last week. The fifth-year running back racked up 222 total yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns. The Vikings can also receive a boost if veteran wideout Adam Thielen (ankle) manages to shake his questionable status before game time.
While Minnesota’s offense might be clicking over its last six games entering Monday Night Football, it’s important to point out how they’re 3-3 during that span. The Vikings defense has given up at least 28 points five times over that stretch, so it’s clear that something has to change.
That could be tough, though, with the Vikings’ secondary being as bad as it was. They also released cornerback Bashaud Breeland over the weekend following a “verbal altercation.” Even though he wasn’t playing well this season, it does mean that the team’s defense has gotten a bit worse. The Bears might not pose the biggest offense threat, however, the Vikings did lose to the Detroit Lions, so anything is possible.
Monday Night Football: Bears Continue Being Underdogs
Much like they have been for most of the season, the Bears will continue being underdogs in Week 15’s Monday Night Football matchup at +250 odds.
After a promising 3-2 start to the season, Chicago has gone an abysmal 1-7 in its last eight games, drafting only the aforementioned Lions in that time. Rookie QB Justin Fields will get the start again after losing his last six starts. He’s thrown five touchdowns to eight interceptions in those games, so he’ll have to watch the turnovers against a Vikings defense averaging the ninth-most takeaways on the road.
Like the Vikings, the Bears also need to tighten up a lot more on defense. Chicago has been outscored 78-52 over their last two games, also giving up nearly 700 total yards as well. Even though the Bears can’t end the season above .500, they still owe it to their fans to at least give them something to look forward to next season rather than the 2022 NFL Draft. If Chicago’s defense can figure out a way to slow Cook down, a Monday Night Football upset isn’t out of the question.
