The division champion Vikings will clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs and an NFC No. 2 seed if they beat the Bears here in Week 17. However, if Minnesota loses and the New Orleans Saints lose (against Tampa Bay) and the Carolina Panthers win (against Atlanta), the Panthers would then take that sweet No. 2 spot. Back in Week 5, the Vikings beat the Bears by a score of 20-17 as 3.5-point favorites. That game also marked the arrival of QB Case Keenum in a starting role, one he has not given up since.
The Vikings will win this game, but with a 11.5-point spread, will they cover?
Betting Preview for the Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Week 17 Game on December 31 2017
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Sunday, December 31, 1:00 PM EST
Line: Chicago Bears (+11.5) vs Minnesota Vikings (-11.5) – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: Fox
Betting on the Chicago Bears (5-10)
Turnovers were the key for the Chicago Bears defense as they were able to get three turnovers from Cleveland Browns quarterback Kizer. With a short field position, the Bears were able to use the ground and pound method to secure their 5th win of the season. Running back Jordan Howard had a successful day scoring.
Howard would finish the day with two touchdowns on 22 carries for 44 yards. Now it was not an excellent day for Howard as he only averaged two yards per carry in the game, but he found the endzone twice which is huge for him as he has not found it in ages.
It was a lot of big plays by quarterback Mitch for the Bears to open up the scoring as he would find open 3rd down screens a success against the Browns. It is going to be a tough challenge for the Bears, as Howard will struggle Sunday.
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings (12-3)
The Minnesota Vikings have won the past four of five games as they are riding into the playoffs with the number two seed right now. Minnesota has had recent success with new quarterback Case Keenum as he has lead them to the glory land of January football.
The past two games have really showcased what this Vikings team can do, as they shutout the Green Bay Packers and blew out the Cincinnati Bengals. In their recent win against the Packets, the Vikings beat the Packers 16-0 as the defense was huge.
Keenum had an off day but the defense really stepped up for the Vikings. The defense were able to pick off Hundley twice and kept him out of the endzone all game. Even if the offense has a slow start, the defense will easily pick up the team. Minnesota is looking great right now, as it does not matter what the line is as the Vikings are going to most likely cover it.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota had a huge line against the Green Bay Packers and that did not stop them from covering that right? These huge lines do scare me a bit, but the Bears are no where near the level of the Vikings right now. Take the Vikings and watch the blowout happen. Pick: Vikings (-11.5)
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