Chicago Bears (3-8) vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-5)
As the NFL season moves into Week 12, all eyes turn toward an intriguing NFC North clash between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in Week 12. While Chicago’s 3-8 record seeks to find its footing again, Minnesota’s 6-5 mark hopes to strengthen their playoff hopes. This Monday night showdown – sure to capture football fans and top online betting enthusiasts alike – takes place at U.S. Bank Stadium with prime-time lights promising an electrifying atmosphere.
While facing challenges this season, the Chicago Bears have shown promise in their ground attack. Running back D’Onta Foreman has been particularly effective, accumulating 381 rushing yards across seven games at an average 4.1 yards per carry. His ability to avoid tackles and create openings has proven instrumental to improving their offensive dynamics. DJ Moore and Jaron Brown have proven dependable receiving options – collectively they’ve collected 889 receiving yards for six touchdowns with an average 15.1 receiving yard per reception average.
The Vikings’ offense highlights its strengths through the air. Kirk Cousins, their veteran quarterback, has been stellar, completing 69.5% of his passes and throwing for 2331 yards over eight games – thanks to his excellent understanding of game strategy and defenses he can read easily. Jordan Addison stands out with 647 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as one of his key receivers; Addison’s agility and hands make him a dynamic threat capable of making big plays when needed most. Nonetheless, their ground game led by Alexander Mattison has not been as potent; Mattison averaged only 3.7 yards per carry over 11 games which suggests a steady but not spectacular running game from their side.
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Game Info
When: | Monday, November 27, 2023 at 8:15 PM ET |
Where: | U.S. Bank Stadium |
TV: | ABC |
Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Justin Fields QB vs. Kirk Cousins QB
Justin Fields, despite the Bears’ overall lackluster performance, has shown remarkable promise as their quarterback. Over seven games he completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1370 yards; using both passing and athleticism to scramble made him unpredictable; yet 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions and 26 sacks indicate areas for growth; his passer rating of 93.3 indicates potential.
Kirk Cousins epitomizes experience and dependability as Minnesota Vikings quarterback, as evidenced by an outstanding passer rating of 103.8, 18 touchdowns scored, and only five interceptions over his eight starts as quarterback. His prodigious skill in ball distribution combined with exceptional pocket presence further strengthens Minnesota’s aerial offensive strategy while his experienced leadership makes him an insurmountable challenge to opposing defenses.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Vikings -195, Total Odds: 45.5
The current betting odds favor the Vikings, reflecting their stronger record and home-field advantage. The point spread of -5.5 for Minnesota suggests expectations of their control over the game. However, bettors should consider the Bears’ potential to cover the spread, especially given their recent improvements in offense.
Chicago Bears Betting Trends
The Bears have had difficulty meeting expectations during their recent betting trends. Their 5-13-1 mark against the spread in 19 games over this span indicates difficulty meeting them while their 3-17 straight-up record over 20 matches and 1-9 on the road indicates issues in securing wins on the road.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends
IConversely, the Vikings have proven reliable for bettors, going 6-0 against the spread in their last six games and 5-1 straight up during that span. Furthermore, seven out of nine of their games involving lower scoring affairs saw totals go UNDER which is another factor to keep an eye out for when placing over/under bets.
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings 11/27/23 Betting Picks
My findings after reviewing data and trends indicate that Minnesota Vikings will maintain their momentum at home, thanks to an effective passing game combined with Chicago Bears’ poor away performance, giving Minnesota an edge. When making expert NFL picks, smart money would likely go towards covering the spread for Minnesota in a closely contested game.
The over/under at 45.5 points is tricky, given both teams’ recent trends towards lower-scoring games. However, considering the offensive capabilities of both teams and the prime-time setting, a slight lean towards the OVER could be considered. Prop bets on key players like Cousins and Fields for passing yards or touchdowns could also offer value.