A huge divisional matchup will take place at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday when the Bears host the Vikings as small home favorites. The Bears are coming off a 31-15 rout of the Washington Redskins as 5-point road favorites on Monday Night Football while the Vikings smacked the Oakland Raiders 34-14 as 9-point home chalk on Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 29, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Chicago -3 | O/U 39 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Early betting action has come in on Minnesota and the UNDER in what could be a defensive battle. Both of these NFC North teams feature strong defenses and somewhat disappointing offenses that could struggle again in this spot depending on the pass rush of their opponent.
Minnesota News & Notes
The Vikings are fortunate to have running back Dalvin Cook at full strength again, as he has essentially carried the offense with an NFL-best 375 rushing yards. Without Cook, they would have a hard time moving the ball because quarterback Kirk Cousins has continued to have a hard time in Minnesota.
Cousins has averaged less than 180 passing yards through the first three games with three touchdowns and two interceptions, and his receiving corps has been limited to Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs due to injuries, with the team bringing back former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell on Tuesday.
The Bears have been especially strong against the run so far this season in allowing just 68.7 yards per game on the ground, so it will likely be up to Cousins to win or lose this game opposite counterpart Mitchell Trubisky.
Chicago News & Notes
Trubisky played better at Washington last week but still has plenty of room for improvement, and that could be difficult here against a much tougher defense. The Vikings have been able to hold a couple of solid quarterbacks – Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders – in check in earning their two wins at home.
Trubisky must find a way to get off to a good start, otherwise the Bears could be in danger of losing a second straight home game to a divisional foe after falling to the Green Bay Packers 10-3 as 3-point favorites in the season opener. This is the fourth straight game that Chicago has been the favorite, and the team has failed to cover the spread twice despite winning two of them straight up.
Another player to watch is kicker Eddy Pineiro, who is suffering from a pinched nerve in his knee. Pineiro missed his first field goal of the season against the Redskins, and he is playing hurt.
Betting Pick: Minnesota +120
Minnesota will have revenge on its mind after Chicago kept the team from making the playoffs last year. The Bears might have the better defense, but the Vikings have the better offense and kicker who will be the difference with a game-winning field goal to pull off the upset.
- Minnesota is 0-5 SU and ATS in its last 5 games as an underdog.
- Chicago is 8-3 SU and ATS in its last 11 home games.
- Chicago is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games vs divisional opponents.
