The Minnesota Vikings will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon with their season on the line. Minnesota has a very simple path to the 2018 NFL Playoffs in front of them: win, and they are in the field. Chicago also has the opportunity to play their way into a first-round bye but will need a victory coupled with a Los Angeles Rams loss.
The Vikings bring an 8-6-1 record into this game but have won two straight games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Chicago has won three straight games and come into this game with an 11-4 record. The Bears have already locked up the three seed in the NFC but would love a first-round bye. Minnesota is a 5.0 point favorite over the Bears in this game.
Vikings Offense Can Be Explosive
Minnesota is still trying to find some production from their running game, but their passing attack can be explosive. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Adam Thielen have been one of the best duos in the NFL. Cousins has thrown for over 4,000 yards this season, while Thielen has caught 110 passes for 1,335 yards. Running back Dalvin Cook has battled injury all season long but leads the team with 576 rushing yards this season.
Defensive end Danielle Hunter leads a ferocious Vikings defense with 14.5 sacks so far this season. Minnesota led the NFL in defensive scoring average a season ago, but have given up 21.1 points per game so far this season. The secondary of the Vikings defense will need to play well in this game against a solid group of Bears’ receivers. Playing at home in an extremely loud environment should help their defense in the season finale.
Bears Defense Carrying Team
The strength of the Chicago Bears team has been their defense. The Bears are allowing just over 18 points per game this season, and they also lead the NFL with 36 takeaways. Chicago has scored six defensive touchdowns on the season as well, and they will put a ton of pressure on quarterback Kirk Cousins. Linebacker Khalil Mack should receive some MVP votes at the end of the season, leading the team with 12.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.
Second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has gone over the 3,000 passing yards mark this season and is completing nearly 67 percent of his pass attempts. Running back Tarik Cohen is one of the most explosive players in the NFL, racking up 1,100 yards on offense this season. If the Bears offense can match the play of their defense, the Super Bowl Shuffle might be making a return.
Vikings Reach 2018 NFL Playoffs
Minnesota must win this game to reach the 2018 playoff field, and they will be ready at home. The Bears are missing two key players on the defensive side of the ball, and their offense is still struggling to find consistency. Look for the Vikings to come out and make an early statement against a dominant Bears defense. Chicago won’t have the sense of urgency that the Vikings will have, and Minnesota will get the much-needed win. Bet the Minnesota Vikings -5.0 over the Chicago Bears in week 17.
