A couple of NFC North rivals mired in 1-4 seasons will meet in Chicago on Sunday afternoon when the Minnesota Vikings travel to face the Bears in Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season. We have your latest Vikings vs. Bears odds, picks, and predictions.
Despite their troubles, the teams have quarterbacks who have shown they can have big games, with Minnesota's Kirk Cousins tops in the league with 13 scoring throws entering Week 6 and Chicago's Justin Fields tied for second with 11.
Thus a high-scoring game seems in the offing, especially since Chicago's pass defense ranks 29th, based on passer rating, and Minnesota's is 30th.
But then again, maybe not. The Vikings will be without standout WR Justin Jefferson (IR), and the Bears' top three running backs were damaged last week against Washington on Thursday night and had to leave the game. But Chicago did prevail, 40-20.
The point spread for this meeting opened with Chicago listed as a 1-point choice in May at the Westgate SuperBook. But now Minnesota is the choice. Meanwhile, the over/under point total has plummeted since being listed at 51.
Both teams have gone 1-3-1 against the spread this year. However, bettors taking Bears games to go "over" the total in 2023 have cashed in each outing this season, the only team with such a perfect mark. The Vikings have gone under in four of their games.
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Vikings vs. Bears odds: point spread, moneyline, total
Here's the latest NFL betting odds for Vikings vs. Bears:
Through the first two weeks of the season, the underdogs were 18-11-3 ATS. But the favorites have since rebounded, going 25-18-2. Home teams, meanwhile, are 36-40 (.474) this season, excluding games in London.
Over/under bettors have seen the "under" come in 44 times in 78 games (.564), but not in any Bears games. Last week the under resulted in a payout in nine of the 14 matchups.
And then there's this FYI: The Bears are coming off an extended break after winning at Washington last Thursday. But teams with such a rest/preparation advantage over a team on normal rest have gone only 4-4 ATS/4-4 straight up this season.
Vikings betting news, injury report
The Vikings have won four straight in this series, going 3-1 ATS. Last season Cousins even had his best passing game (based on a passer rating: of 130.2) when facing the Bears in Chicago.
What's contributing to Minnesota's slow start is its meat-grinder of a schedule. Except for the Vikings' 21-13 victory against winless Carolina, the Vikings are paying the price for finishing first in the NFC North last year by playing a first-place slate. Included already have been meetings with powerhouse Philadelphia and Kansas City. San Francisco is up next week.
Jefferson, a first-team All-Pro last year, pulled a hamstring in last week's loss to KC and has been put on IR. The team's second-leading wide receiver, Jordan Addison, is battling an ankle injury.
Bears betting news, injury report
The Bears are riding a high after their prime-time triumph against the Commanders when WR DJ Moore had 230 air yards and three TDs. No receiver has had that many yards in a game in the past two seasons.
Fields threw for four TDs in that game for the second straight week. He hadn't had any such game previously in his three-year career.
However, the Bears will have to do a bunch of shuffling in the backfield since the only running back on the depth chart not listed with an injury designation is D'Onta Foreman, who's been a healthy scratch the past four weeks.
The team's leading rusher, Khalil Herbert (high ankle sprain), most likely will sit out Sunday's game.
Vikings vs. Bears props
Let's look at some prop bets for the Vikings vs. Bears from top-rated sportsbook apps.
Alternate Spread (FanDuel):
- Bears -22.5:+1700
- Vikings +22.5: -10000
- Bears -16.5: +1000
- Vikings +16.5: -3000
- Bears -10.5: +520
- Vikings +10.5: -900
- Bears -6.5: +300
- Vikings +6.5: -430
- Bears +13.5: -670
- Vikings -13.5: +430
- Bears +20.5: -3000
- Vikings - 20.5: +1000
First Field Goal (PointsBet):
- Vikings -110
- Bears: -110
- No FG: +2200
Passing Yards Justin Fields (FanDuel)
- 225-plus: +142
- 250-plus: +280
- 275-plus: +920
Passing Yards Kirk Cousins (FanDuel)
- 200-plus: -580
- 250-plus: -118
- 325-plus: +580
Vikings vs. Bears predictions and picks
The Vikings' carelessness with the ball could well prove costly Sunday.
They have had a negative turnover differential in their games this season, giving them a league-worst minus-9 margin. And considering the Bears are 0-17 the past three seasons in games with a minus margin, that seems quite important.
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Another advantage the Bears have is their run defense, which yields only 3.7 yards a carry, tied with the 49ers for best in the league.
Minnesota has a 4.4 average on offense but hasn't shown breakaway speed, with no rushes of 20-plus yards. Even last year, when the Vikings still had star RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota had only five 20-plus-yard carries, the second-fewest in the NFL.
Prediction: Bears with points and over.
How to watch Vikings vs. Bears
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 15
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. EDT
- Location: Soldier Field -- Chicago, IL
- Where to Watch: Fox
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