Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings, 11/18/18 Predictions & Odds

Vikings vs. Bears Prediction

Can the Chicago Bears take control of the NFC North when they host the Minnesota Vikings in a big Sunday Night Football matchup at 8:20PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

457 Minnesota Vikings at 458 Chicago Bears

Sunday, November 18, 2018

8:20PM ET – Soldier Field

TV: NBC

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Bears are the slight favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Vikings. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 44 points. The public betting for this game currently has 67 percent going on the Vikings on the road.

Bears on a roll

Thanks to a 34-22 win at home over the Detroit Lions last week, the Chicago Bears have won three straight and hold a ½ game lead in the NFC North with a 6-3 record. Chicago is 6-3 against the spread as well and 6-3 with the over. They have covered the spread in three straight as well.

Chicago has been really strong defensively this year, allowing just 19.4 points and 339.9 yards per game. Their run defense has been the strength, allowing only 84 yards per contest. The unit has 30 sacks on the year and has forced 24 turnovers. Khalil Mack alone has seven sacks and four forced fumbles. Offensively, the Bears have been improving. They now average 29.9 points and 376.1 yards per game. Mitchell Trubisky has thrown for 2,304 yards and 19 touchdowns this year with seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 320 yards and three scores while Jordan Howard has 460 rushing yards with five touchdowns.

Vikings rested

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a bye, but earned a 24-9 win at home over the Detroit Lions prior to that. Minnesota is 5-3-1 on the season, 5-3-1 against the spread and 5-4 with the under. They are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six games.

The Vikings are improving on defense each week, allowing just 22.7 points and 347 yards per game on the year. Their run defense is allowing just 88.9 yards per game. In the win over the Lions, the Vikings racked up 10 sacks, giving them 31 for the season. Danielle Hunter is leading the NFL with 11.5 sacks thus far. Offensively, Minnesota is averaging 24.6 points and 390 yards per game this year. Kirk Cousins has thrown for 2,685 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the way while receiver Adam Thielen has 78 catches for 947 yards and seven touchdowns. Dalvin Cook finally got himself going in the win over the Lions. He has 187 yards on the year with 89 coming against the Lions.

NFL Betting Trends

Chicago

The Bears have covered in five of their last six home games and 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games in November.

Minnesota

The Vikings have covered the spread in eight of their last 11 road games, but they are just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 following a bye.

Prediction:

Are the Bears for real? They certainly looked good last week against Detroit, but the Lions are a mess right now. Minnesota is rested, but the Vikings have to go on the road tonight. The Vikings have struggled with their offensive line at times this year and that will get tested against the Bears. That will be the difference in my eyes. Chicago should create a great pass rush and force Cousins into some turnovers. That will allow Trubisky to have a short field to work to score some points. I don’t expect a shootout, so those turnover should prove to be even more costly.

NFL Prediction: Chicago Bears -2.5

Related: Vikings vs. Bears Total Prediction