Vikings vs Bears Odds, Lines, Picks, and Predictions for Week 15 Monday Night Football

• The Vikings visit the Bears in a crucial game for their playoff hopes
• Monday Betting Record: 1-3 ML; 3-6ATS; 2-1 O/U; -6.05 units
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

In the simplest math possible, the Minnesota Vikings need to keep adding wins if they want to find their way into the NFC playoffs.

Their next opportunity comes Monday night against their division rival-Chicago Bears, who have major subtractions across their roster, many due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Can the home team play spoiler? Chicago enters this as a 5.5-point underdog, though they’ve traditionally played the Vikes tough, and Minnesota is far from a sure thing.

It all gets underway from Soldier Field at 8:15pm ET. The game can be seen live on ESPN.

Vikings vs Bears Odds

Odds as of Dec 19th at DraftKings

Minnesota Vikings Outlook

The Vikes snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. It was a game that shouldn’t have been that close, as Minnesota had built a 29-0 lead, and eventually needed a goal line pass defended to put an end to a furious comeback.

from being down 29-0 to being THIS close. what a damn game. 😬 pic.twitter.com/ghZml1Th8a

— Benstonium (@Benstonium) December 10, 2021

On the positive side, Dalvin Cook went off, running 27 times for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cook now sits third in the NFL in rushing, only 22 yards away from a 1,000 yard season.

Dalvin Cook is running WILD.

117 yards and a TD on only SEVEN carries.

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/D8SBQ4Zpqi

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 10, 2021

That took the relief of Kirk Cousins and the passing game, who missed Adam Thielen, who sat with an ankle injury. Justin Jefferson picked up the slack, however, continuing his remarkable season, hauling in seven balls for 79 yards and a TD. On the year, he has 85 receptions for 1,288 yards and eight TD’s.

Happy Justin Jefferson night 😁 pic.twitter.com/dI5erB9iPT

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) December 10, 2021

The Vikings will be shorthanded for this one again though. Thielen is still questionable, along with linebacker Eric Kendricks, who’s dealing with a back injury.

COVID has hit the Vikings’ locker room as well. Defensive end Danielle Hunter, receivers Dede Westbrook and Dan Chisena, and backup running back Alexander Mattison are all out for Monday.

Chicago Bears Outlook

Can you build momentum off a 45-30 loss? For the Bears, maybe you can.

Last week’s L to the Packers was the first time the Chicago had scored 30 points in a game this season. Rookie pivot Justin Fields looked good in his return from a rib injury, hitting two big TD strikes en route to 224 pass yards, while leading the team in rushing with 79 yards.

Byrd is the word. 😏 @LookIn_Da_Miere | #CHIvsGB pic.twitter.com/3sinky9bPm

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 13, 2021

That should bode well against a Vikings defense that has been leaking most of the season. Minnesota is surrendering 381.5 yards of offense per game, which is 4th-worst in the NFL. They’re equally bad at defending the pass, allowing teams to threw for 251.9 yards per game (25th), and run for 129.5 yards (24th).

Minnesota is also allowing 26 points per game, which ranks in the bottom half of the league, though they do lead the NFL in sacks with 41.

Bears rule out LT Jason Peters for Monday vs. Vikings.

It’ll be Teven Jenkins’ starting debut—coming off a rough game and taking on a defense that leads the NFL in sacks.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 18, 2021

However, it seems like Chicago is going to have outscore their problems, as no less than a dozen Bears players have entered health and safety protocols. And that doesn’t include linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and Akiem Hicks (ankle) who are both questionable.

Among the notable COVID absentees are defensive linemen Mario Edwards Jr and safety Eddie Jackson.

Offensively, receiver Allen Robinson and backup pivot Andy Dalton are on the COVID list, while tackle Jason Peters (ankle) is out.

Vikings vs Bears Pick

The Bears are 5-1 in their last six against the Minnesota, and Kirk Cousins has just one win in his previous 10 Monday night performances.

We mentioned the Vikings aren’t anything close to a lock: all but one game this year has been a one possession difference, and they’re just 5-7 overall in those contests.

And yet, Chicago is too banged up to make this one more interesting than it should be. Minny still has Green Bay and the LA Rams on the schedule, with two Bears game bookending those matchups, so these are virtual must-wins if they want to make the postseason.

Bet on the urgency for the Vikings.

Pick: Vikings -5.5 (1.5 units to win 1.42 units)