America will once again have the pleasure of watching the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night sports.
The Bears, with a record of 4-9, were the underdogs at the Vikings’ home game against their 6-7 record. Despite leading the Packers at halftime with some explosive touchdowns, Matt Nagy’s team fell short in the second half as Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to a 45-30 victory.
Here are the top Bears betting lines available at Illinois online sportsbooks, along with a preview of the upcoming matchup. Let’s dive right in.
Monday Night Football possibilities: Vikings vs. Bears
The latest odds for the Bears game against the Vikings are as follows:
Despite the Bears’ 5-1 advantage over the Vikings under Nagy, it’s hard to find much to like about Chicago in 2021.
Minnesota is currently 2-5 on the road this season and often plays in tight games. Despite the Bears having a poor record, they could be seen as an attractive bet considering the Vikings have had their last 10 games decided by small margins.
The injury to Bears left tackle Jason Peters will be a key development to monitor. Justin Fields was constantly under pressure in the Packers game due to Peters’ ankle injury. Rookie Teven Jenkins filled in for Peters but also struggled, accumulating four penalties.
The Bears may find success in the run game if the game flow permits. Minnesota’s run defense is among the worst in the NFL, allowing 4.7 yards per carry, which is tied for 31st in the league.
Chicago has found success running the ball this year, ranking seventh in the NFL in rushing yards.
While this roster may not have many standout qualities, they do possess some skilled basketball carriers. Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert are solid options at the position, with David Montgomery also serving as a reliable starting running back. Furthermore, Fields showcased his impressive running abilities on Sunday, covering 74 yards, highlighting his talent as a versatile player.
If the Bears can secure an early lead, they will have the opportunity to control the clock. However, their success will hinge on their ability to contain Minnesota’s fast-paced offense.
Not your typical Chicago security
As per usual, Aaron Rodgers, a co-owner of the Bears, expertly carved up the Chicago defense, throwing for four touchdown passes.
The Bears are struggling to compensate for key player departures, allowing only 19 points per game. The defense is missing the impact and big plays that fans have come to expect without Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks.
Throughout the years, Chicago has been successful in containing Dalvin Cook, but that doesn’t make facing him any less daunting. Despite the Bears’ efforts, Cook managed to rush for 205 yards in his first game back from injury last year, and Minnesota’s play-action game is currently lethal.
The Vikings will have the top two trash-talking players on the field in Cook and Justin Jefferson. Additionally, Adam Thielen, the Bears’ second-best listener, is also exceptional, but after going up against The Steelers.
The status of Thielen is crucial when going up against the Bears, especially considering that Jaylon Johnson is the only standout player in Chicago’s secondary. However, beyond Johnson, the position becomes a glaring weakness. In the second half of Sunday’s game, the Packers strategically isolated Adams from Johnson, resulting in Johnson struggling to contain him.
If Theilen plays, the Bears could face a major challenge in the game. Johnson has proven he can cover top receivers effectively, but the other cornerbacks on the Chicago team have not shown the same ability.