Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
Read More
Expert Picks
It's not easy backing a team that seems allergic to the forward pass, but I don't think the Vikings should be laying over a touchdown. Minnesota is susceptible to explosive running plays (9th-most allowed) and the Bears can generate those with Khalil Herbert, David Montgomery and Justin Fields. While Chicago only has seven sacks, the Bears rank fourth in pressure rate at nearly 30 percent. Kirk Cousins is notorious for struggling under pressure. In fact, Cousins' Vikings have failed to cover the last four times they've laid 7 or more points. Take the Bears +7.5 at even money.
Definitely buy this down to -6.5 to avoid a possible push, but I don't think it will get there by itself and may only go up. Yes, the Vikings are off a London game and opted not to take their bye, but there really hasn't been any terrible historical ATS trends for the few teams that have opted out of their post-London bye week in terms of the next game. My Bears are simply hard to watch offensively and lost their best offensive lineman, Cody Whitehair, to injury in the Week 4 loss at the Giants. That young secondary should be chewed up by Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings have a quick turnaround after winning in London last week, but I think their in-and-out travel schedule will help them in this matchup as their body clocks never got to adjust to UK time. They get to face a brutal Bears passing game that can't protect Justin Fields, as their 23.9% sack rate is by far the worst in the league. The Bears defense also can't stop the run, which makes it tough to get back in games when you're behind in the second half. I believe the Vikings can control this game from start to finish at home, and if the Bears are a bottom-tier team facing a playoff-caliber team, this line should be double digits.
Team Injuries
![Avatar](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/sports/player/headshot/2180538.png?width=64)
![Avatar](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/sports/player/headshot/3122732.png?width=64)
![Avatar](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/sports/player/headshot/2060451.png?width=64)
![Avatar](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/sports/player/headshot/1737096.png?width=64)
![Avatar](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/sports/player/headshot/2141772.png?width=64)