For the second consecutive week, Josh Dobbs and the Vikings are on the national primetime stage. They’re looking to bounce back from a frustrating one-point loss in Denver by beating the Bears in a Monday Night Football matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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Chicago is 3-8, but this won’t be a walk in the park for the Vikings. The Bears got Justin Fields back and put a scare into the NFC North-leading Lions last week in Detroit, holding a 26-14 lead late in the fourth quarter before allowing two touchdowns and a safety in the final three minutes. Fields threw a touchdown to D.J. Moore and ran for over 100 yards in that game. Before getting hurt against the Vikings in Week 6, he was coming off consecutive outings with four TD passes.
The Vikings are just three-point home favorites in this game. Can they get the job done and complete a season sweep of their rivals from Chicago? Let’s start with my prediction and then take a look at some picks from other analysts. WILL’S PICK: VIKINGS 27, BEARS 21
The Vikings’ five-game winning streak came to an end last week against the Broncos, but that was a game they easily could’ve (and should’ve) won had they not lost the turnover battle 3-0. To be clear, the Bears aren’t to be taken lightly with a healthy Fields and a defense that now includes Montez Sweat. Still, I think the Vikings bounce back this week and post a positive turnover margin in a one-score win. Dobbs and company should be able to move the ball against the Bears with or without Justin Jefferson (who I don’t expect to play). Defensively, I have confidence in Brian Flores’ ability to make things difficult on Fields.
OTHER PREDICTIONS BEN GOESSLING, STAR TRIBUNE: VIKINGS 24, BEARS 17 The Bears forced four takeaways in Detroit last week, and if the Vikings team are as careless at home this week as it was in a three-turnover night in Denver,
Chicago could have a chance to steal this one in prime time. The Vikings’ defense took command of the last matchup between the two teams with three turnovers, though, and if the group can beat the Bears’ protection unit again on its way to Fields, the Vikings should be able to win and head into their bye week at 7-5. BILL BENDER,
SPORTING NEWS: VIKINGS 28, BEARS 21 The Bears are a different offense with Justin Fields, who pushed the Lions to the limit in Week 11. Minnesota beat Chicago 19-13 in Week 6, and Joshua Dobbs got a bit of a reality check in Denver last week. The Vikings have won five in a row in this NFC North rivalry, and three of those have been one-score games.
VINNIE IYER, SPORTING NEWS: VIKINGS 30, BEARS 23 The Vikings couldn’t finish well against the Broncos but that changes back at home in prime time. Josh Dobbs’ mobility and playmaking can cause Chicago’s defense problems and there’s a good chance Minnesota will deploy Justin Jefferson before the bye as a passing game-changer. With him stretching the field, it will open up things all over the field. Then the Vikings’ run defense and pass rush will take care of the rest to contain Justin Fields.
PETE PRISCO, CBS SPORTS: VIKINGS 24, BEARS 14 These two are coming off tough losses, with the Bears blowing a huge lead late. It was more damning for the Vikings, a team that had been surging. Minnesota’s defense will be the difference here as they get the best of Justin Fields. Vikings take it. NFL.COM: 3 OF 5 PICKERS TAKE THE VIKINGS
Maybe I’m just a sucker for the Joshua Dobbs story. Even so, these teams are close enough that I feel OK picking the home squad to rediscover its winning ways against a Chicago organization that has been short on good mojo this year. Denver stopped Dobbs in large part by turning him over twice, but the Bears don’t have the same facility for takeaways (tied for 21st in the NFL with 13) that the Broncos do (tied for second with 19). Justin Fields could make more positive strides, just not in the win column this week. — Tom Blair BLEACHER REPORT STAFF: VIKINGS 26, BEARS 21 MIKE FLORIO, PFT: VIKINGS 34, BEARS 21 CHRIS SIMMS, PFT: BEARS 23, VIKINGS 20 SETH WALDER, ESPN: VIKINGS 24, BEARS 22 ERIC MOODY, ESPN: VIKINGS 27, BEARS 19
