Vikings vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction
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Edgar Chaput
The Minnesota Vikings are having about as excellent a campaign as one could imagine after seeing their former starting QB leave in free agency and their 2024 round one pick J.J. McCarthy sidelined for the entire year. The only problem despite the 8-2 straight-up tally is that the Detroit Lions are 9-1. Things are not as rosy for the Chicago Bears. At 4-6, they have a current lease in the basement of the NFC North.
Perhaps it’s the rivalry factor, but our NFL odds have the Vikings only as -3.5 favourites for this game.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The last time these sides met was a low-scoring 12-10 Bears victory last season. It would be the last time Minnesota had to worry about scrambling Bears QB Justin Fields. Before that, the Vikings had strung together five consecutive wins over their regional rivals. Of those six total games, the loser scored fewer than 20 points five times.
Boy, oh boy, are things looking good for Minnesota. That applies even when, frankly, things literally don’t look good, such as the 12-7 eye-gouging win at Jacksonville a fortnight ago. All of this is to say that Kevin O’Connell’s group is a strong 7-3 ATS. However, they have only covered twice in the last five matches. The Vikings are rarely a stout road team, but they’re 4-1 this season so far.
It feels like purgatory in perpetuity for Chicago. All the hype and hope – however much genuine hype there was in September – is gone. The team is 4-6 in the standings and an untrustworthy 5-4-1 ATS. The only solace from last week’s gut-punch loss to the hated Packers was that it was only by one point, which meant the Bears covered the spread.
Minnesota Vikings
Week 11’s 23-13 win away to the Tennessee Titans was, mercifully, more convincing than the aforementioned game versus the Jaguars. It wasn’t must-see TV, but the Vikings came, saw, and conquered a mediocre opponent with relative efficiency.
QB Sam Darnold, whose lustre has begun to fade somewhat, looked far more comfortable in the pocket. His major highlight was a first quarter, 48-yard pass and run to the house to WR Jordan Addison. Many stats heavily favoured Minnesota in this contest, such as first downs (24 to 11) and time of possession (32:31 to 27:29). But when the ground game can only earn 82 yards via three players (Darnold, Cam Akers, Aaron Jones), it puts a lot of pressure on a QB who is decent on a good day but rarely amazing.
WR Justin Jefferson continued to be involved as he led his side with six catches for 81 yards. On the flip side, he hasn’t scored since Oct. 20 versus the Lions, a four-game stretch.
Chicago Bears
This might sound mean-spirited although it isn’t meant to be. No, Bears fans, it does not appear as though you may have nice things.
Rarely has that sunken feeling been heavier than when kicker Cairo Santos’ 48-yard attempt as time expired was blocked by Green Bay. Packers 20, Bears 19. Another loss against the cheese heads, and another defeat on a last-play field goal attempt that went awry.
There is something horribly dysfunctional about this offence. Chicago’s front office has surrounded 2024 number one overall pick Caleb Williams with talent. RB D’Andre Swift, WRs Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, TE Cole Kmet. But the offensive line is in shambles. Williams is sacked 4.0 times per game, which is 31st in the NFL.
It’s a shame because the defence is far from bad. It only gives up 18.7 points per contest, good for seventh league-wide.
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