MNF: Bears at Vikings

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Developing Stories 📰

Monday Night Football we have a NFC North clash featuring the Chicago Bears against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears face an uphill battle to enter playoff discussions, while the Vikings are clinging to a Wildcard position. In their recent game Chicago stumbled against Detroit, losing 31-26 as 7.5-point favorites, while Minnesota faced their first defeat in six games, succumbing to the Broncos 21-20 but covering the spread as 2.5-point underdogs. The Vikings, currently 3-point home favorites, will host the matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis with an 8:15 kickoff on ABC.

Quarterback Justin Fields, absent for four mid-season games due to a hand injury sustained against Minnesota showcased a balanced performance against Detroit. While throwing for 169 yards and a touchdown. Fields also contributed significantly on the ground with 104 rushing yards. The Bears, struggling with a 1-5 record in away games and they urgently need to heat up to stay in the playoff contention. Fields' season statistics reflect an average of 195.7 passing yards and 48.7 rushing yards per game, maintaining a 12-6 TD-INT ratio with a 62.7% completion rate. With starting running back Khalil Herbert returning from the IR, the Bears will deploy a combination of Herbert and D'Onta Foreman in the backfield, where Foreman boasts the best yards-per-game average at 54.4. Leading receiver D.J. Moore averages 80.8 yards per game with six touchdowns, while tight end Cole Kmet contributes 39.9 YPG and five touchdowns.

Despite ranking 18th in scoring with 20.9 points per game, the Bears' defense struggles, ranking 29th by allowing 26.0 points per game. Linebacker TJ Edwards leads the team in tackles with 121, while newly acquired defensive end Montez Sweat tops the sack chart with 7.5. The Chicago defense has garnered 13 takeaways but has turned the ball over 19 times on offense.

The Minnesota Vikings, after a five-game winning streak, faced a setback against the Broncos. Quarterback Josh Dobbs, now leading the team, encountered challenges in prime time, throwing for 221 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss. Dobbs, averaging 215.7 passing yards and 43.7 rushing yards per game, has proven elusive in the pocket, contributing three rushing touchdowns. Star receiver Justin Jefferson's availability is uncertain, with rookie Jordan Addison stepping up in his absence, averaging 58.8 yards per game with seven touchdowns. The Vikings rank 11th in scoring with 23.0 points per game, backed by a defense ranking 14th, allowing 20.9 points per game. Safety Camryn Bynum leads the team in tackles with 91, while defensive end Danielle Hunter boasts 12 sacks. Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. has secured three interceptions, and the defense has accumulated 14 takeaways, although the offense has committed 20 turnovers.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1960 Gordie Howe becomes 1st NHL player to score 1000 points.

1997 Barry Sanders becomes NFL’s 2nd all time rusher.

2013 Tiger Woods is named PGA Tour’s Player of the Year for the 11th time.

The Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after starting the season 1-10.

The New York Giants came out stating that QB Daniel Jones will remain their starter when he is healthy.

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles tie record with 4h straight comeback win after beating the Bills in overtime.

Texas A&M to hire Dukes Mike Elko to replace Jimbo Fisher.

Colorado QB Shadeur Sanders missed the last game of the season due to a fracture in his back.

Mississippi State to hire Jeff Leby from Oklahoma.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏈 Bears at Vikings

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

• The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chicago's last 12 games on the road

• Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games

• Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

🏀 Nuggets at Clippers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers

• Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Clippers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 5 games

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏀 NBA

54% of bets and 73% of money is on OVER 237.5 WSH at DET

27% of bets and 59% of money is on LAC -10.5

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

CHI (OL) Larry Borom | Out - Illness

CHI (CB) Tyrique Stevenson | Out - Ankle

CHI (RB) D’Onta Foreman | Out - Shin/Ankle

CHI (LB) Noah Sewell | Out - Knee

MIN (WR) Justin Jefferson | Out - Hamstring

Picks 🔒

Utah +5 | St. Mary’s has not played well against strong teams so far and rank 89th in efficiency. We expect them to struggle still as they did other opponents.

Vikings -3 | Vikings won 5 games in a row without Jefferson. The Vikings score more and allow less on defense. The Bears have done nothing this season to prove why they should stay in this game.