Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold headline a crucial NFC North matchup as the Chicago Bears aim to halt their seven-game skid against the high-flying Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. The Bears, standing at 4-9, are fresh off a challenging defeat under interim head coach Thomas Brown.
Their 38-13 loss last week was marked by a lackluster 162-yard effort on offense opposed to allowing 452 yards on defense. This setback solidified their fourth consecutive losing season.
On the flip side, the Minnesota Vikings come into this contest riding a wave of momentum after a commanding 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The game was a showcase for the Vikings’ dynamic duo, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, who made history by becoming the first Vikings teammates to each tally over 125 receiving yards and score two touchdowns in a single outing. As the Vikings set their sights on securing a playoff berth, this showdown against the Bears is pivotal.
Game Preview:
- Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: U.S.
Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- TV Broadcast: ABC
- Live Streaming: DAZN, Fubo, Peacock
Odds and Best Bets:
The betting landscape offers some intriguing angles.
The Bears and Vikings have both fared relatively well against the spread, boasting records of 6-5-2 and 8-4-1, respectively. However, the Vikings have struggled as home favorites, covering in only 3 of their last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the Bears often falter against superior teams, evidenced by their 13 losses in the last 16 such matchups. Notably, the Vikings’ recent games within the NFC North consistently surpass the point total, with the last six contests hitting the over.
Quarterback Comparison:
Under center, the Bears rely on Caleb Williams, who has amassed 2,746 yards, with 16 touchdowns against 5 interceptions this season.
The Vikings counter with Sam Darnold, who boasts 3,299 yards and a robust 28 touchdowns, albeit with 10 interceptions. Both teams contend with injury concerns; the Bears list key players like running backs Roschon Johnson and D’Andre Swift, and defenders Elijah Hicks and Gervon Dexter Sr. as questionable.
The Vikings report injuries impacting cornerback Stephon Gilmore and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., alongside long-term absences for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw.
Expert Predictions:
Advanced simulations by Dimers, which ran a whopping 10,000 game simulations, hint at a 74% likelihood for a Vikings victory at home.
Notably, the model sees the Bears as having a 53% chance of covering the +7 spread, while the game itself has a slight edge, 52%, to go over the 43.5-point total. Betting insights suggest taking the Over 43.5 points at -110, leveraging Dimers’ substantial modeling and betting analysis.
The predicted scoreline stands at a 25-18 Vikings triumph.
Player Props to Watch:
When considering player props, D’Andre Swift appears a promising candidate for the Bears’ opening touchdown.
For any-time touchdowns, Swift, along with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore represent strong options for Chicago. Look to Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison on the Vikings’ side for similar scoring potential.
As the Bears and Vikings prepare for a clash under the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium, these individual matchups and betting insights add layers to a game with high stakes and significant NFC playoff implications.
