Week 17 action continues with Bears at Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings need a win to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC. However, they will have to beat the Chicago Bears. Chicago is trying to get one of the top two seeds in the NFC and a bye week in the playoffs. The game will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, December 30. It is scheduled to begin at 4:25 PM. ET. Also, NFL playoff odds and scenarios next up.
Chicago Bears Analysis:
The Bears have been one of the biggest surprises in the league this season and they won a division that many were expecting the Vikings or Green Bay Packers to win. With the Los Angeles Rams, who have the second best record in the NFC, likely to rest their starters in their game over the struggling San Francisco 49ers, the Bears have a chance to move into second place in the conference with a win over the Vikings.
Chicago’s strength earlier this season was the team’s defense. This thanks to the addition of Khalil Mack. Mack was traded by Oakland prior to the start of the season. However, their offense has gradually improved and the Bears are looking like one of the most complete teams in the league this year.
NFL Playoff Odds
If their defense can slow down the Vikings offense, which has looked good in their last two games, they will have a good chance of getting the win. What do our visitors think?
Minnesota Vikings Analysis:
The Vikings are likely going to make the playoffs. However, they have to be considered one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season. The team came in with Super Bowl aspirations with the addition of Kirk Cousins to a team with a strong running game and a great defense.
Cousins put up big numbers this season, with 4,166 yards and 29 touchdowns, but the team was inconsistent and now needs a win to secure their playoff berth.
The Vikings will need to rely on their defense. Defense has been very good in their last two games. Also, their running game if they want to beat the Bears on Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings are favored to win this game by six points. The over/under on total points scored is 41. We predict this to be a high scoring game.
The Vikings have played well at home, winning five of their seven games so far. However, Cousins doesn’t play well in big games and will likely struggle against the best defensive unit in the league this season. Take the Bears +6.
