The last game of the NFL betting season is Sunday. Wow, this regular season came and went in a hurry. The Minnesota Vikings (12-4) travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears (3-13) in a battle of the top and bottom in the NFC North. Chicago, losers of a franchise-record nine games in a row, looks to further “solidify” its position in the 2023 draft, while Minnesota looks to right the ship before postseason play begins. Both were blown out in their last games, with Minny listed here as a four-point favorite on the road (total at 46), according to BetUS sportsbook NFL odds.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears Odds by BetUs
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | -7½ ( -105 ) | 43 ( -110 ) | -345 |  |
| Bears | +7½ ( -115 ) | 43 ( -110 ) | +275 | |
| ||||
Vikings Tough to Figure
If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan, do not have a discussion about Week 17, an embarrassing 41-17 Lambeau loss to the resurgent Green Bay Packers. The Pack busted the game open early with a pick-six and a 100-yard-plus touchdown via kickoff return. Fortunately, the NFC North title already had the Vikings’ name on it. Sunday, the Vikes eye a 13th win, with a chance to improve their seeding in the playoffs.
You can’t mention the Vikings without a word about their point differential this season. Here’s a 12-4 team that’s at -19, and that’s hard to do. The defense has allowed 25.9 points per game, the second-worst figure in the NFL (to the Bears’ 27.1 ppg).
You won’t be surprised that Minny’s record against the spread is 6-9-1. With their lack of defense, you will also not be surprised that their over/under record this year is 11-5. It’s been an offense that’s solid (24.7 ppg, eighth in NFL) , but struggles on defense and special teams. The Vikes are a mediocre 4-3 on the road.
This 12-win team, Rodney, is getting no respect, currently at 30-1 (+3000) to win the title, as per Super Bowl odds.
The Wrong Side of History
So, never in the 102 years Chicago Bear football has it been as bad as this, at least consecutively. An NFL original, the Bears have lost their last nine games. Needless to say Matt Eberflus won’t be Coach of the Year, The last “effort” was a 41-10 drubbing at Detroit, in a game Chicago had a 7-0 lead, At 3-13, at least they’ve (perhaps) found their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. While there’s much room to improve in terms of passing accuracy (7 touchdowns 11 interceptions, 60.4% completions) after a 7-of-21 forgettable outing against the Lions. He has 1,143 rushing yards this season. In other words, 64 yards to break Lamar Jackson’s rushing record by a quarterback. That was set in 2019.
Whether Fields plays Sunday was uncertain as of this spring. With or without him, a bad team. There’s no go-to option at wide receiver, the worst defense in the league (after trading Roquan Smith (Baltimore) and Robert Quinn (Philadelphia), rebuilding is the plan. If and when that comes to fruition is anyone’s guess. Chicago’s lost double figures in six of the past nine seasons. With the bettors, the Bears are 5-10-1 ATS. Over/under at 10-6, including a stretch of seven consecutive overs.
Monsters of the Midway? Hardly.
Look Over Here
Soldier Field might run out of fireworks during the regular-season finale between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. These two defenses stink pungently (two worst in points allowed), thus we are focusing on one bet here, and that’s the over.
As a caveat, remember Fields’ status is uncertain as of this writing. Regardless, with a total at only 46 (-110) in a game that should find the 50s at the low end of the scoreboard, take the over.
