Bears (3-8) at Vikings (6-5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV:
Spread (BetMGM):
Vikings by 3.5
Bears’ keys to victory: Chicago needs to find a way to protect QB Justin Fields, something it failed to do in Week 6. Fields was sacked four times and threw an interception before exiting the game with a dislocated right thumb. The Bears will look to rely on a healthy dose of their top-5 run game with RBs Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson, as well as utilize Fields’ mobility. On defense, Chicago will face a new face in QB Joshua Dobbs, a true dual threat who has made teams pay with his legs. The Bears will need to contain him and generate pressure to keep him on his toes.
Vikings’ keys to victory: Minnesota has been rolling with Dobbs, who has given the offense a new wrinkle. It looks like Dobbs could have WR Justin Jefferson, who has missed the past six games with a hamstring injury. This Bears passing defense has given up explosive plays and yards all season; Jefferson could feast on it. On defense, the Vikings need only replicate their Week 6 game plan – blitz the heck out of Fields and pressure him into mistakes.
Matchup to watch: Vikings DE Danielle Hunter vs. Bears RT Darnell Wright. The veteran bested the rookie in their first meeting, where Hunter generated consistent pressure and recorded two sacks of Fields. Wright will need a better performance to give Fields a chance.
Who wins? The Vikings and Bears are trending in opposite directions after slow starts to the year. Minnesota already has the formula for beating this Chicago squad.
Vikings, 27-20