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The Vikings-Bears Sunday Night Football line opened at -3 and the line has remained steady throughout the week favoring Chicago.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Chicago -3 (+105) & 41.5
Opening Line & Total: Bears -3 & 42.5
Chicago tries to put an end to a four-game ATS losing skid when it hosts a Minnesota team riding high following its first win of the season last Sunday.
The Bears have won and covered in their past three meetings with the Vikings. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson, who racked up 122 yards and 3 TD in a Week 5 win against Arizona, was held to 51 rushing yards at Chicago in Week 10 last year, and missed their Week 15 matchup. QB Donovan McNabb is throwing for a meager 6.4 yards per attempt, but may only need to be a game-manager if Peterson keeps running wild. Chicago has had success in recent years against great rushing teams, going 25-11 ATS (69.4%) when playing against opponents averaging 130 rushing YPG. Bears RB Matt Forte is also running very well this season, and he had 92 yards on 17 carries (5.4 YPC) the last time these two teams met.
Although Peterson didn’t do much against Chicago last season, he usually has success when facing the Bears. In seven career meetings, Peterson has rushed for 784 yards (112 rushing YPG) and 11 touchdowns. Although Minnesota’s offense ranks 24th in yardage this year (316 YPG), the team has done a great job of protecting the football, with a total of four turnovers in five games. A big reason the Vikings have lost three straight meetings with the Bears is their 11 giveaways in these three contests. McNabb was born in Chicago, and although his lifetime numbers against the Bears are average (226 YPG, 7 TD, 7 INT), he has a 5-2 record against them in these seven matchups.
On defense, Jared Allen leads the NFL with 8½ sacks, and he also has 8½ sacks in six career games against Chicago. Minnesota’s 16 team sacks are tied for second-most in the league, while the Bears are allowing 18 sacks (3rd-most in NFL). The Vikings forced four turnovers in the win over Arizona last week, which was more than they had in their first four games combined (3 TO). Despite the strong pass rush, Minnesota currently ranks 25th in passing defense (272 YPG). The team may also be without CB Antoine Winfield (neck injury), but it appears LB E.J. Henderson (knee) will be able to suit up.
Despite an injury-riddled offensive line, Forte has galloped for 321 yards on 6.8 YPC in the past two games. He has also been huge catching passes out of the backfield, with 30 receptions for 345 yards this season. The Vikings may try to shut down Forte and let QB Jay Cutler try to beat them, but that might not be the wisest decision. During the Bears win streak in this series, Cutler has thrown for 704 yards and 10 TD in these three meetings.
Chicago’s defense has been a huge disappointment this year, ranking 28th in rushing defense (136 YPG) and 27th against the pass (284 YPG). A knee injury to DE Julius Peppers won’t help matters, as he is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
