Week 8 of the NFL season concludes with what looks like yet another mismatch on Monday Night Football as the Minnesota Vikings, the first-place team in the NFC North, visit the division’s last-place club and perhaps the NFC’s worst team in Chicago. The Bears are home dogs in NFL lines.
When: Monday, Oct. 31, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: ESPN
Stream Option: WatchESPN
Opening NFL Lines: Vikings -4.5 (40.5)
terson is in the league’s concussion protocol. He missed Thursday’s practice, and is questionable for Monday’s game. Patterson has been a much bigger part of the offense in recent weeks, catching 16 passes over his past three games. Running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) was wearing a walking boot Thursday. McKinnon suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the Eagles. He was able to come back after the break, but he ended up bowing out after aggravating the injury.
The Vikings have no problems on defense. They allow 14.0 points and 279.5 yards per game, both first in the NFL. The Vikings have forced a league-best 16 turnovers this year and lead the NFL with a +11 turnover differential. Through six games, the Vikings have made it tough for opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Kelvin Benjamin, Odell Beckham, Jr., DeAndre Hopkins and Jordan Matthews have all experienced tough outings against the Vikings.
A win Monday would keep the Vikings in first place in the NFC, give them consecutive Monday Night Football victories for the first time since 2008-09 and be the first back-to- back road victories for the Vikings over the Bears since 1999-2000.
Chicago’s Jay Cutler hasn’t been starting at quarterback the past five weeks because of a thumb injury he suffered in Week 2. Since then, it’s been Brian Hoyer who has handled the offense. But Hoyer broke his arm against the Packers so Cutler will start this one. The 33-year- old quarterback won eight of his first 10 career starts against the Vikings. And even though he’s lost his last three meetings with the Vikings, he’s played well enough in his last three home starts against Minnesota that the Vikings should have some concern.
Top Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery has six touchdowns, three triple-digit receiving yard games and three double-digit reception games against the Vikings, including a 10-catch, 116-yard, one touchdown performance last season and a 12-catch, 249-yard, two-touchdown outing in 2013. Jeffery also has 37 catches for 574 yards (95.7 per game) in his past six games on Monday night. Jeffery has at least 95 receiving yards or a touchdown catch in all six of those contests.
Bears No. 2 WR Eddie Royal (toe) didn’t practice on Thursday. Royal hasn’t practiced since injuring his toe in Week 6 and sat out the Packers game. He’s not likely for Monday. RB Jeremy Langford (ankle) was “limited” in Thursday’s practice. It puts Langford on track to return from his four-game absence on Monday.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings
Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings
Take the Vikings on NFL betting lines and the under. br>
Here’s a Closer Look at the Minnesota at Chicago Betting Pick, Lines & TV Info
When: Monday, Oct. 31, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: ESPN
Stream Option: WatchESPN
Opening NFL Lines: Vikings -4.5 (40.5)
Why Bet on Minnesota?
The Vikings (5-1) were dominated in Philadelphia last week, 21-10, to become the last unbeaten to fall. It was QB Sam Bradford’s return to Philly — he was traded to Minnesota on the eve of the season. The Eagles pressured and harassed their former quarterback all game, sacked him six times, and forced his first three turnovers this season. Bradford was 24-41, 224 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Matt Asiata had 55 yards rushing. Cordarrelle Patterson had seven catches for 67 yards and a TD. Patterson is in the league’s concussion protocol. He missed Thursday’s practice, and is questionable for Monday’s game. Patterson has been a much bigger part of the offense in recent weeks, catching 16 passes over his past three games. Running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) was wearing a walking boot Thursday. McKinnon suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the Eagles. He was able to come back after the break, but he ended up bowing out after aggravating the injury.
The Vikings have no problems on defense. They allow 14.0 points and 279.5 yards per game, both first in the NFL. The Vikings have forced a league-best 16 turnovers this year and lead the NFL with a +11 turnover differential. Through six games, the Vikings have made it tough for opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Kelvin Benjamin, Odell Beckham, Jr., DeAndre Hopkins and Jordan Matthews have all experienced tough outings against the Vikings.
A win Monday would keep the Vikings in first place in the NFC, give them consecutive Monday Night Football victories for the first time since 2008-09 and be the first back-to- back road victories for the Vikings over the Bears since 1999-2000.
Why Bet on Chicago?
The Bears (1-6) lost 26-10 in Green Bay last week. The one bright spot was outside linebacker Leonard Floyd finally resembling a guy worthy of the ninth overall selection in the NFL draft. He hit the trifecta in the third quarter, registering a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery for a touchdown all on the same play. He was credited with another sack of Aaron Rodgers and now has 2.5 quarterback takedowns on the season.Chicago’s Jay Cutler hasn’t been starting at quarterback the past five weeks because of a thumb injury he suffered in Week 2. Since then, it’s been Brian Hoyer who has handled the offense. But Hoyer broke his arm against the Packers so Cutler will start this one. The 33-year- old quarterback won eight of his first 10 career starts against the Vikings. And even though he’s lost his last three meetings with the Vikings, he’s played well enough in his last three home starts against Minnesota that the Vikings should have some concern.
Top Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery has six touchdowns, three triple-digit receiving yard games and three double-digit reception games against the Vikings, including a 10-catch, 116-yard, one touchdown performance last season and a 12-catch, 249-yard, two-touchdown outing in 2013. Jeffery also has 37 catches for 574 yards (95.7 per game) in his past six games on Monday night. Jeffery has at least 95 receiving yards or a touchdown catch in all six of those contests.
Bears No. 2 WR Eddie Royal (toe) didn’t practice on Thursday. Royal hasn’t practiced since injuring his toe in Week 6 and sat out the Packers game. He’s not likely for Monday. RB Jeremy Langford (ankle) was “limited” in Thursday’s practice. It puts Langford on track to return from his four-game absence on Monday.
My Betting Pick
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetingsFavorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings
Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings
Take the Vikings on NFL betting lines and the under. br>
