If the Minnesota Vikings finish with the No. 6 seed in the NFC and the Bears stay at No. 3, they would play Wild-Card Weekend in Chicago.
The Chicago Bears already are NFC North champions and thus might have little motivation to put up much of a fight Sunday at division-rival Minnesota.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 Dec 5:48am | CHI | -6 -115 | O +41 -110 |
| Closing 30 Dec 9:18pm | CHI | -6 -110 | U +40 -125 |
Betting Week 17 NFL games is always a challenge because it’s vital to determine which teams have motivation and which don’t. The Chicago Bears are NFC North champions and all but locked into their playoff seeding. So, why could Coach Matt Nagy play any starters Sunday at Minnesota? Especially since these clubs could turn around and play each other on Wild-Card Weekend in the Windy City.
In Week 11, the Bears dominated the visiting Vikings 25-20 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate. Both teams had three turnovers, but the Bears made the most of their takeaways, including Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson returning a Kirk Cousins interception 27 yards for a touchdown and a 22-6 fourth-quarter lead.
Jackson won’t be playing this week as he’s dealing with an ankle injury and will rest up for the postseason. The Vikings made it respectable with two fairly meaningless touchdowns when Cousins inflated his numbers. He was terrible the first three quarters. The Vikings had just 22 yards rushing on 14 carries. Chicago QB Mitch Trubisky wasn’t much better in throwing for 165 yards with a TD and two picks.
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings.
Chicago Bears
Chicago still has a shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will be no worse than the No. 3. It needs a victory and Rams home loss to San Francisco, which is very unlikely. The Bears were in a potential trap game at the 49ers on Sunday but escaped with a 14-9 win. Trubisky threw for a score and Jordan Howard rushed for one, but the Bears were somewhat lucky in that two turnovers were overturned by review/penalty. Per usual the defence was the story as the Bears held the 49ers to 279 yards and had yet another interception. Chicago leads the league by a mile in that category. It will be interesting to see whether Matt Nagy plays all his key guys this week or he assumes the Rams are going to win and gets them some rest.
Minnesota Vikings
If the Vikings finish with the No. 6 seed in the NFC and the Bears stay at No. 3, they would play Wild-Card Weekend in Chicago. Minnesota gets a Wild-Card spot (could also be No. 5 seed depending) with a win here or a Philadelphia Eagles loss at the Washington Redskins. The Vikings fell behind the Lions 9-0 on Sunday in Detroit but would win 27-9. That game completely turned when Cousins hit tight end Kyle Rudolph on a Hail Mary TD pass to close the first half. Cousins had his best game in a about month in throwing for three scores and no interceptions. Rudolph had nine catches for 122 yards and two scores. Top cornerback Xavier Rhodes left in the fourth quarter with a groin injury.
Weather
| condition | dome |
Injuries
Trey Burton (TE)
DeAndre Houston-Carson (S)
Eddie Jackson (S)
Deon Bush (S)
Akiem Hicks (DT)
Sherrick McManis (DB)
Benny Cunningham (RB)
Mitchell Trubisky (QB)
Javon Wims (WR)
Dion Sims (TE)
Holton Hill (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Brian O'Neill (T)
Chad Beebe (WR)
Ben Gedeon (LB)
Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Burton (TE) | Out Sun | Groin - 06 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Burton is hampered by a groin injury and will not be available against the Eagles in the NFC wild-card round. |
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| DeAndre Houston-Carson (S) | Prob Sun | Ribs - 04 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Houston-Carson is dealing with a rib injury but is likely to participate in the NFC wild-card round against the Eagles. |
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| Eddie Jackson (S) | Ques Sun | Shin - 08 / 12 / 18 | 4-1 | 1-4 | + - |
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Jackson has a shin injury and his status for Sunday's matchup against the Rams is unknown. |
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| Deon Bush (S) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 05 / 12 / 18 | 4-1 | 1-4 | + - |
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Bush missed the last game due to a hamstring injury but is expected to play against the Packers on Sunday. |
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| Akiem Hicks (DT) | Ques Sun | Achilles - 28 / 11 / 18 | 5-1 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Hicks is tending to an Achilles injury and it is unknown if it will prevent him from lining up against the Giants on Sunday. |
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| Sherrick McManis (DB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18 | 5-1 | 1-5 | + - |
|
McManis missed the last game with a hamstring injury but is likely to suit up against the Rams on Sunday. |
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| Benny Cunningham (RB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 22 / 11 / 18 | 6-1 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Cunningham missed the last game with an ankle injury but is expected to take the field against the Rams on Sunday. |
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| Mitchell Trubisky (QB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 19 / 11 / 18 | 7-1 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Trubisky has missed the previous two games dealing with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder but it is likely he will take the field Sunday against the Rams. |
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| Javon Wims (WR) | Ques Sun | Knee - 15 / 11 / 18 | 7-1 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Wims has been sidelined with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will return for Sunday's game against the Vikings. |
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| Dion Sims (TE) | I-R | Concussion - 04 / 11 / 18 | 9-1 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Sims has been placed on injured reserve due to a concussion. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holton Hill (CB) | day-to-day | Head - 30 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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| C.J. Ham (FB) | Out Sun | Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears. |
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| Sheldon Richardson (DT) | Ques Sun | Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air. |
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| Eric Kendricks (LB) | Prob Mon | Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks. |
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| Brandon Zylstra (WR) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday. |
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| Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots. |
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| Brian O'Neill (T) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots. |
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| Chad Beebe (WR) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions. |
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| Ben Gedeon (LB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots. |
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| Stephen Weatherly (DE) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers. |
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Bears vs. Vikings Prediction
-
CHICAGO BEARS
13 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
20
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Dec 5:48am CHI -6 -115 O +41 -110 Closing 30 Dec 9:18pm CHI -6 -110 U +40 -125 -
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Trey Burton (TE)
Out Sun Groin - 06 / 01 / 19DeAndre Houston-Carson (S)
Prob Sun Ribs - 04 / 01 / 19Eddie Jackson (S)
Ques Sun Shin - 08 / 12 / 18Deon Bush (S)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 12 / 18Akiem Hicks (DT)
Ques Sun Achilles - 28 / 11 / 18Sherrick McManis (DB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18Benny Cunningham (RB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 11 / 18Mitchell Trubisky (QB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 11 / 18Javon Wims (WR)
Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 11 / 18Dion Sims (TE)
I-R Concussion - 04 / 11 / 18Holton Hill (CB)
day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18C.J. Ham (FB)
Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18Eric Kendricks (LB)
Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18Brian O'Neill (T)
Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18Chad Beebe (WR)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18Ben Gedeon (LB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Trey Burton (TE) Out Sun Groin - 06 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Burton is hampered by a groin injury and will not be available against the Eagles in the NFC wild-card round.
DeAndre Houston-Carson (S) Prob Sun Ribs - 04 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Houston-Carson is dealing with a rib injury but is likely to participate in the NFC wild-card round against the Eagles.
Eddie Jackson (S) Ques Sun Shin - 08 / 12 / 18 4-1 1-4 + - Jackson has a shin injury and his status for Sunday's matchup against the Rams is unknown.
Deon Bush (S) Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 12 / 18 4-1 1-4 + - Bush missed the last game due to a hamstring injury but is expected to play against the Packers on Sunday.
Akiem Hicks (DT) Ques Sun Achilles - 28 / 11 / 18 5-1 1-5 + - Hicks is tending to an Achilles injury and it is unknown if it will prevent him from lining up against the Giants on Sunday.
Sherrick McManis (DB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 11 / 18 5-1 1-5 + - McManis missed the last game with a hamstring injury but is likely to suit up against the Rams on Sunday.
Benny Cunningham (RB) Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 11 / 18 6-1 2-5 + - Cunningham missed the last game with an ankle injury but is expected to take the field against the Rams on Sunday.
Mitchell Trubisky (QB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 11 / 18 7-1 3-5 + - Trubisky has missed the previous two games dealing with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder but it is likely he will take the field Sunday against the Rams.
Javon Wims (WR) Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 11 / 18 7-1 3-5 + - Wims has been sidelined with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will return for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Dion Sims (TE) I-R Concussion - 04 / 11 / 18 9-1 4-6 + - Sims has been placed on injured reserve due to a concussion.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Holton Hill (CB) day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return.
C.J. Ham (FB) Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 2-0 1-1 + - Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Sheldon Richardson (DT) Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks.
Brandon Zylstra (WR) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Brian O'Neill (T) Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots.
Chad Beebe (WR) Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions.
Ben Gedeon (LB) Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
Stephen Weatherly (DE) Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers.