Another promising match in the NFL is bound to tickle your fancy this coming Sunday, as the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings battle it out for their impending Week 15 showdown at the TCF Bank Stadium. Both teams will be looking to put an end to their respective losing skids, but only one of them will be able to do so. Who’s it going to be first?
Read on below for a comprehensive breakdown of this must-see NFC North battle. And while you’re at it, check out our other NFL Week 15 previews: Bengals vs. 49ers and Jets vs. Cowboys.
[sc:Football ]Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Sunday, December 20, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (+5.5) at Minnesota Vikings (-5.5); total: 43.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Chicago Bears (5-8)
The Chicago Bears’ late-game struggles haunted them once again. They blew their chance to tie the game with 1:40 remaining in regulation as their placekicker missed a 50-yard field goal which eventually allowed the Washington Redskins to come away with the 24-21 win at their expense. That loss was the Bears’ third one in four games and has all but eliminated them from playoff contention.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Despite the loss, QB Jay Cutler’s performance was worth noting. He completed 19 of his 31 passes for 315 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Cutler and co. will look to at least finish the season on a strong note. A good start would be by getting back on track this weekend when they lock horns with their division rivals in the Minnesota Vikings.
That’ll be easier said than done though, as they will be trying to breakthrough a respectable Vikings’ defense (346.2 total yards allowed per game). But the Bears shouldn’t be too fazed about this for as long as Cutler continues his brilliant showing and the pair of RB Matt Forte and WR Alshon Jeffery make their presence felt.
Forte has been pretty solid in the past two outings, during which he’s rushed for 129 total yards with a touchdown in each game. Jeffery, meanwhile, remains to be a major headache for opposing cornerbacks as he’s hauled in 17 catches for 282 yards with a score in his last three games. He’s also reached the 100-yard mark four times thus far this season.
Chicago is 6-4 SU and ATS in its previous 10 meetings with the Vikings.
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Betting on the Minnesota Vikings (8-5)
The Minnesota Vikings shot themselves on the foot during their gut-wrenching 23-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, who have now secured a spot in the postseason. The Vikings had a chance to tie the game in the final minute; however, they ended up committing their third turnover of the night which ultimately gave Arizona the victory.
The setback marked Minnesota’s fifth loss of the season and their second-straight one. Teddy Bridgewater, who threw for 335 yards with a touchdown, will look to build on this performance and hopefully emerge on the winning side this time around opposite the visiting Chicago Bears.
Speaking of the Bears, they’ve been having a tough time on defending against the rush with 125.7 yards allowed per contest in 13 games this year. That said, all eyes will be on the Vikings’ star running back in Adrian Peterson to lead the charge on the ground.
Peterson currently boasts a league-high of 1,251 yards rushing and nine touchdowns this season. He’s also fared really well against Chicago, averaging 5.0 yards per carry with 14 scores through 13 career games. But it’s worth noting that he’s only rumbled for 87 yards on 31 carries across his previous two contests.
Meanwhile, Bridgewater could also resort to their passing game through his reliable target in rookie Stefon Diggs. Diggs has been the Vikings’ best wide receiver as he’s garnered a team-high of 638 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns in 10 games.
Minnesota is 4-2 SU and ATS at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota gets back on track with a resounding, 27-17 win. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the NFL regular season action!
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