Monday Night Football NFL Week 16: Vikings vs. Bears Picks & Predictions
NFC North rivals will square off on Monday Night Football when the Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings at 8:35PM ET.
The Vikings lost to the Panthers 26-7 as an 8.5-point favorite in Week 15, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 43 points. Brett Favre threw for 224 yards with an interception, while Adrian Peterson rushed for just 35 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in the loss.
The Bears lost to the Ravens 31-7 as a 10.5-point underdog in Week 15, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 39 points. Jay Cutler threw for only 94 yards with three interceptions for Chicago, while Matt Forte rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made the Vikings 7-point favorites over the Bears in Week 16. The over/under total for tonight’s game has been set at 41 points.
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Vikings –7 and the over 41. The Bears gave up weeks ago and it has shown in their play. Meanwhile, Minnesota has struggled over the past couple weeks, but it still has plenty to play for with home field advantage and a first round pick on the line in the NFC.
Chicago is 0-5 against the spread in its last five games. They were drubbed by Minnesota in the team’s first meeting this season and were crushed last week in Baltimore. The Bears have nothing to play for and they have zero fight left in them.
What worked well for the Vikings earlier in the year is that AP and the running game set up Favre and the passing game. We think Minnesota will get back to that philosophy and stop trying to be a dominant passing team.
Our NFL Week 16 Free Pick for this matchup is: MINNESOTA VIKINGS -7 and OVER 41.
Vikings vs. Bears Current Odds
131 Minnesota Vikings –7 (-320 moneyline) Over 41
132 Chicago Bears +7 (+260 moneyline) Under 41
NFL Week 16 Betting Trends
Minnesota is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Chicago is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
NFL Week 16 Injury Report
MINNESOTA
[LB] 12/07/2009 - E.J. Henderson IR ( Leg )
[LB] 12/15/2009 - Erin Henderson expected to miss 4 games ( Suspension )
[WR] 12/23/2009 - Percy Harvin is upgraded to probable Monday vs. Chicago ( Neck )
[CB] 12/25/2009 - Antoine Winfield "?" Monday vs. Chicago ( Foot )
[G] 12/25/2009 - Steve Hutchinson "?" Monday vs. Chicago ( Shoulder )
[DT] 12/25/2009 - Pat Williams "?" Monday vs. Chicago ( Elbow )
[DE] 12/25/2009 - Brian Robison "?" Monday vs. Chicago ( Quad )
CHICAGO
[RB] 09/06/2009 - Kevin Jones IR ( Ankle )
[LB] 09/14/2009 - Brian Urlacher IR ( Wrist )
[DE] 09/06/2009 - Henry Melton IR ( Ankle )
[LB] 10/21/2009 - Pisa Tinoisamoa IR ( Knee )
[LT] 12/20/2009 - Orlando Pace "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Groin )
[WR] 12/20/2009 - Devin Hester "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Calf )
[RB] 12/08/2009 - Garrett Wolfe out for season ( Kidney )
[DL] 12/21/2009 - Adewale Ogunleye out for season ( Fibula )
[LT] 12/25/2009 - Chris Williams "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Ankle )
[S) 12/25/2009 - Al Afalava "?" out for season ( Knee )
[TE] 12/25/2009 - Desmond Clark "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Illness )
[LB] 12/25/2009 - Lance Briggs "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Back )
[DT] 12/25/2009 - Tommie Harris "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Knee )
[S) 12/25/2009 - Kevin Payne "?" Monday vs. Minnesota ( Ankle )