Sunday’s FREE NFL Selection
MINNESOTA -4 over Chicago
While the playoffs await the Bears, the Vikings end their season at home on Sunday against the visiting division foes from the Windy City. It appeared for many weeks that this game would have playoff meaning for Minnesota, but a two-game losing streak put an end to their postseason chances.
The major story for the Bears in the past two weeks has been the work of QB Rex Grossman, who has not exactly set the world on fire from a statistical standpoint but has given the offense a noticeable spark. It is unclear how much of Sunday's game Grossman will play, but it’s likely to little or none. It was here in Game 3 of the 2004 season, that Grossman’s season was ended with an injury. The main concern for the Bears at this point is being healthy for the playoffs. Rookie Kyle Orton should most if not all of the action under center against the Vikes. The Bears also feature the NFL's ninth-ranked rushing offense with Thomas Jones being their main weapon; however, Jones doesn't figure to play much either on Sunday.
While Chicago plays to stay healthy, Minnesota can be expected to play for the win. QB Brad Johnson actually had one of his most efficient games of the season in last Sunday’s loss at Baltimore. He should have some additional success here against a Chicago defense that will also be resting some key players.
The Bears are an unsightly 1-15 ATS as a late-season road underdog and qualify for a PRO INFO SPORTS NFL POWER SYSTEM. From Game 13 on, +.600% road teams (not a favorite of 2+ points or an underdog of more than 5 points) with a TOTAL of 33½-46½ points are 0-26 ATS vs. sub-.580% opponents.
Beating the Bears, who have clinched the NFC North title and the #2 seed in the conference, would give the Vikings a 9-7 record for the season. That actually would be a one-game improvement over last season, when the Vikings secured a wild-card berth despite an 8-8 finish. Coach Mike Tice will be meeting with the team’s new owner tomorrow, and a win here would allow him to point to the team’s improved record, so there’s little doubt that Tice will be going for a big victory here.
The home team is 5-1 ATS in this series and this home team qualifies as a play ON team for a PRO INFO SPORTS NFL POWER SYSTEM. In Games 15-16, +.500% division home teams (not a favorite of 7+ points or off a home favorite SU win scoring 37+ points in their last game) are 18-0 ATS since 1988 vs. opponents with a better record. Minnesota was embarrassed at Chicago early in the season and will look to get some revenge and finish the season as winners with a strong showing against the division-champion Bears.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 24 CHICAGO 14