NFL Pick: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Our Chicago Bears play Minnesota Vikings free pick has the Vikings favored by 5.5. The Bears (3-12) have not won an away game all season. They’re last in the NFC North. The Vikings (7-8), who occupied first in the NFC North for some time this season, will finish in third place. Neither team has been generating many points, while Minnesota offers a very tough defense.

The Bears have lost four of their last five games. Their one win came against the 49ers. In the past three weeks, all of the teams they lost to are still in contention for a playoff spot. On Dec. 11, the Lions beat them 20-17 and the following the Packers won 30-27. Last week, it was Washington 41-21.

Minnesota also has one win over their last five. That was against the Jaguars 25-16. Losses include to Green Bay last week 38-25 and Indy the week prior 34-6. Over those five games, they also lost to Detroit 16-13 and Dallas 17-15.

Chicago Offense vs. Vikings Defense

QB Matt Barkley (58.9 COMP%, 8 TDs, 12 INTs) will play in his seventh game this season. Barkley has been adjusting to being a starter. In last week’s game against the Redskins, he tossed five picks. He’ll be leading an offense that’s averaging 17.9 PPG. Although one of the Bears’ primary receivers, Alshon Jeffrey, will not play two others, WR Cameron Meredith and TE Zach Miller, will. Meredith is the Bears’ leading receiver with 62 catches, 827 yards and four touchdown receptions. Miller also has four TD catches. RB Jordan Howard (229 ATT, 1,178 YDs, 5.1 AVG, 6 TDs) has had a solid season.

The Bears are facing a team that is allowing opponents under 80 yards per game in rushing and is giving up just 19.8 PPG. The Viking defense has 39 sacks, 12 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles with 10 recovered. CB Xavier Rhodes (10 PD, 4 INTs, 1 FF) is a top performer. On the line, Danielle Hunter (12 Sacks, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF) constantly harasses quarterbacks. LB Eric Kendricks(2.5 Sacks, 5 TFL, 9 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF), who leads the team with 99 tackles, is a complete performer.

Minnesota Offense vs. Bears Defense

Although the Vikings are scoring on average only 19.3 PPG, they do have some decent offensive tools. Although often a victim of the sack, QB Sam Bradford (71.3 COMP%, 17 TDs, 4 INTs, 37 Sacks) has lent stability to the Viking offense. He has some sound go-to receivers in WR Adam Thielen (68 REC, 960 YDs, 14.1 AVG, 5 TDs) and TE Kyle Rudolph (72 REC, 723 YDs, 10.0 AVG, 6 TDs). RB Matt Asiata (113 ATT, 388 YDs, 3.4 AVG,6 TDs) has given the Viking ground game, which has suffered with Adrian Peterson being out, a boost.

The Bears are holding teams to 24.1 PPG. The statistical highlight on defense is its number of sacks, which stands at 37. The Bears have forced 13 fumbles, but they have only recovered three, and they have nine picks. Of the three players who have seven or more sacks, Akiem Hicks, Willie Young, and Leonard Floyd, only Hicks is sure to play. Standout in the secondary, DB Tracy Porter (9 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF), also may not play.

Chicago Bears play Minnesota Vikings Free Pick

When these two teams met earlier the final was 20-10 in favor of the Bears. However, it looks like the Vikings are coming to this game armed for Bear, or Bears. Their defense is superior, they are more stable at quarterback, and they are healthier. Our Chicago Bears play Minnesota Vikings free pick is the Vikings at -5.5.

Chicago Bears play Minnesota Vikings Free Pick: Minnesota at -5.5