The Minnesota Vikings (12-4) try to keep a slim chance of moving from the No. 3 seed to the No. 2 seed in the NFC when they travel to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears (3-13) with a 1 p.m. Sunday kickoff (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s'lines around the Vikings at Bears odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
Each of the Vikings’ 4 losses have been humbling, double-digit blowouts, including being bludgeoned last week by the Green Bay Packers 41-17 in a game that wasn’t close. Minnesota’s losses have been so pronounced that they need to beat the Bears by 20 to have scored more points than they’ve allowed — and they would be 13-4!
The Vikings are down to their 3rd center and lost their best offensive lineman (RT Brian O’Neill) with an Achilles injury last week. Knowing they’re in the playoffs might get them thinking about pulling starters regardless of the outcome.
The Bears have more to gain by losing than winning, which explains why arguably the worst QB in the history of the game (Nathan Peterman of 3-TD, 13-INT career number fame) will get the start.