Week 18 of the NFL provides us with another divisional rivalry game on Sunday, January 8, and here you can get the best Vikings vs. Bears betting pick and odds.

Chicago is desperate to avoid the tenth consecutive defeat when they welcome Minnesota at Soldier Field. The Vikings are -7.5 favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 43 points. These divisional rivals faced once this season, and the Vikings won 29-22 in Minneapolis.

Vikings were dismantled by the Packers in Green Bay

The Minnesota Vikings (12-4-0, 6-9-1 ATS) failed to record their third win in a row as they suffered a massive defeat on the road against the divisional foes Green Bay Packers. The Vikings surrendered a season-high 41 points in a 41-17 loss and scored a couple of touchdowns late in garbage time to at least soften a defeat. Minnesota actually totaled more yards than the Packers but committed even four turnovers and forced zero on the other end.

Kirk Cousins completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Jalen Nailor received three passes for a game-high 89 yards, while K.J. Osborn and T.J. Hockenson each contributed 59 yards on seven receptions but the former scored a touchdown. Alexander Mattison led the team in rushing yards with 38 on eight carries. On defense, Camryn Bynum had a game-high nine tackles.

C Garrett Bradbury has sat out the last four contests with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available versus the Bears on Sunday.

Bears suffered a blowout loss to the Lions on the road

The Chicago Bears (3-13-0, 5-10-1 ATS) are the coldest teams in the NFL right now as they suffered nine defeats in a row and now are in jeopardy of losing their tenth consecutive game. The Bears actually had a 10-7 lead against the Detroit Lions after the opening quarter on the road, but that was all we saw from them as the Lions controlled the rest of the tilt and deservedly secured a massive 41-10 victory. Detroit dominated total yards (504-230), first downs (26-9), and possession (35:43-24:17), while the Lions forced a pair of turnovers and didn’t commit one on the other end.

Justin Fields completed seven of 21 passes for 75 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was excellent on the ground, though, with a team-high 132 yards on ten rushing attempts. Cole Kmet caught one of two passes for a touchdown and led the Bears with a modest 27 receiving yards. Defensively, Joe Thomas was strong with a game-high 13 tackles.

QB Justin Fields (hip), G Michael Schofield III (knee), S Eddie Jackson (foot), LB Matthew Adams (calf), and WR Darnell Mooney (ankle) are out indefinitely. T Teven Jenkins (neck) is doubtful, while CB Jaylon Jones (concussion) is questionable to play against the Vikings on Sunday.

Trends:

Minnesota:

  • 4-2 ATS in the last six games against Chicago

Chicago:

  • 1-6 ATS in the last seven games overall
  • 0-4 ATS in the last four games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game
  • 4-9-1 ATS in the last 14 home games
  • 5-16 ATS in the last 21 vs. NFC North rivals

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears Pick

Nathan Peterman has been named a starting quarterback against Minnesota. He has just six pass attempts this year, and considering how Chicago is playing through the air this season, I expect to see plenty of running from the hosts. They have the worst pass offense in the NFL which averages 129.9 yards per game, which is great news for the second-worst secondary in the league. The Bears do have the best run offense in the league that averages 181.0 yards per game, but without Fields (1,143 yards and eight rushing TDs), it’s going to be hard to hurt the Vikings.

Pick: Take the Vikings at -6.5 (-130)

The Total

These two have the worst defenses in the NFL, but I am going to avoid betting on a high-scoring affair simply because of the fact that the hosts will be playing without their No. 1 QB, who is a massive threat on the ground. Chicago scored just 23 points in the last two games, and even though the Bears face a lenient Minnesota’s D, I don’t think the hosts will score more than 14 here. The Vikings will likely rest some of their key players late in the game and keep them healthy for the postseason, so I don’t expect them to play in the fifth gear. Under is 7-1 in the last eight H2H meetings in Chicago.

Pick: Go Under 43.5 points (-130)