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Vikings vs Bears – Best Team and Player Prop Bets for MNF Week 15

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in NFL Football

Updated Dec 20, 2021 · 6:27 AM PST

Dalvin Cook celebrates, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
  • The Minnesota Vikings (6-7) take on the Chicago Bears (4-9) in an NFC North clash on Monday Night Football
  • Week 14 Record: 3-2, +7.46 units; 2021 Record: 18-43; -8.3 units
  • See the best player props for Vikings vs Bears at 8:15 pm EST from Soldier Field

Despite an up-and-down season with some head-scratching results, the Minnesota Vikings still have a shot at the playoffs.

But they’ve got to beat the Chicago Bears. And for a team that handed the Lions their first win, no week is a given.

Fortunately for the Vikes, the Bears are banged up and Covid-stricken. Throughout the week, Chicago placed 14 players on the Covid-19 list. While that doesn’t necessarily rule them out for Monday, it creates a whole lot of questions.

We’ll get the answers to who’s in and who’s out at 8:15 pm EST from Soldier Field on ESPN.

Vikings vs Bears Props

Quarterback Completions Passing Yards Passing TD
Kirk Cousins, MIN 22.5 (O -114 / U -114) 259.5 (O -114 / U -114) 1.5 (O -138 / U +104)
Justin Fields, CHI 17.5 (O -114 / U -114) 208.5 (O -114 / U -114) 1.5 (O +182 / U -250)
Player Rushing Attempts Rushing Yards Rushing + Receiving Yards
Dalvin Cook, MIN N/A 92.5 (O -114 / U -114) 113.5 (O -115 / U -115)
David Montgomery, CHI N/A 59.5 (O -114 / U -114) N/A
Justin Fields, CHI N/A 37.5 (O -115 / U -115) 252.5 (O -115 / U -115)
RB/WR/TE Receptions Receiving Yards Longest Reception
Justin Jefferson, MIN N/A 98.5 (O -114 / U -114) 27.5 (O -120 / U -110)
Darnell Mooney, CHI 3.5 (O -155 / U +115) 51.5 (O -114 / U -114) 22.5 (O -115 / U -115)
Cole Kmet, CHI 2.5 (O -155 / U +115) 30.5 (O -120 / U -110) 16.5 (O -115 / U -115)
Dalvin Cook, MIN N/A 16.5 (O -120 / U -110) 10.5 (O -125 / U -105)
Tyler Conklin, MIN N/A 30.5 (O -110 / U -120) N/A

Odds as of December 19th at FanDuel and DraftKings

*Indicates Pass + Rush Yards

The Vikings are heavy road favorites heading into Monday night. They’re riding a streak of four-straight overs, while the over has hit in back-to-back games for the Bears. It’ll be cold and windy at Soldier Field, which could make it tough on the kicking game, the pass catchers and QBs.

The Vikings vs Bears odds reveal a significant shift since Covid took over the spotlight.

Can Dalvin Cook Repeat?

In some ways, it hasn’t been a typical Dalvin Cook season.

There have been five games where the Vikings running back has averaged under 4.0 yards-per-carry. In fact, all three games before his Week 14 explosion he finished below the mark averaging 3.91 across that span.

But of course then Cook ripped off 205 yards on 27 carries, embarrassing the Steelers in Week 14.

Cook doesn’t likely have that kind of performance in store again. And while he dominated with a torn labrum once, that’s likely the exception not the norm. Cook has hit his over five times this season, but one he barely got over with 94 yards on the ground.

He’s only averaged 62.8 yards against the Bears per game during his career. But the last two games against them in 2020? Cook totaled 96 and 132 yards on the ground. Even if Chicago were to get back the missing defenders from its Covid list, the question remains as to whether or not they’re in game shape.

With no Alexander Mattison behind him, Cook has a good shot at this lofty number. The only thing to be wary of is whether or not he aggravates his shoulder.

  • The Pick: Dalvin Cook OVER 92.5 rushing Yards (-114); 1 unit

Mooney Looks to Shine vs Vikings

It’s been difficult to figure out the Bears’ passing game this season. Rotating between Andy Dalton and Justin Fields hasn’t helped, and because of that it’s been hard to find consistent performers.

Take Darnell Mooney for instance.

Mooney saw five targets last week, catching one for 19 yards. The week before he went 5-for-7 but only turned it into 27 yards. That was after going over 120 yards in each of the previous weeks on just five catches each.

To be fair, the sophomore receiver has also struggled with drops, so he’s got himself to blame too.

But, Mooney has gone over his projected total three times in the last six weeks. So when everything’s going right for him, he’ll produce.

Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Nate Washington all hit Mooney’s over in Week 14. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds did it the week before, and Brandon Aiyuk before that.

The Bears have to move the ball somehow, and after David Montgomery, Mooney is the next best option. By sheer volume, this number is worth a look.

  • Darnell Mooney OVER 51.5 receiving yards (-114); 1 unit

Vikings vs Bears Scoring Props

Player Odds to Score First TD Odds to Score a TD
Dalvin Cook, MIN +440 -190
Justin Jefferson, MIN +460 -165
David Montgomery, CHI +750 +120
KJ Osborn, MIN +850 +140
Darnell Mooney, CHI +1200 +210
Tyler Conklin, MIN +1200 +230
Justin Fields, CHI +1500 +290
Allen Robinson, CHI +1600 +300
Cole Kmet, CHI +1900 +340
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, MIN +2300 +420

Odds as of December 19th at FanDuel

Since the calendar flipped to November, the Vikings have scored the first TD five out of six times. Despite that though, their record is just 3-3. So the problem isn’t starting, it’s finishing.

In that same span, the Bears have scored first twice in five games. They have just one win.

Cook ran like a man possessed against the Steelers. He also notched his first two-touchdown game of the season. While he hasn’t been the finisher this year like he has before, the Vikes’ playoff push goes through Cook. Expect him to feature heavily against a team that just got run over by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.

The Bears are also tied for the league-lead in TDs surrendered to a receiver. Justin Jefferson will probably get one, but he doesn’t offer much value. KJ Osborn could find the endzone for the third week in a row with Adam Thielen out.

Chicago’s best player is David Montgomery. In the blowout against the Packers he got 16 touches, and he got 29 the week before. All of that amounted to one score, but there’s no question the volume is there.

  • The Pick: Dalvin Cook to score FIRST Touchdown (+440); 0.5 units
  • The Pick: Dalvin Cook (-190), KJ Osborn (+140), David Montgomery (+120) to score ANYTIME; 0.5 units each
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