SuperBook Sports previews tonight’s showdown

NFL: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings saw their improbable five-game winning streak snapped in heartbreaking fashion last week at the hands of the Broncos. But at 6-5, they’re still right there in a crowded NFC playoff picture and will continue to put their faith in quarterback Josh Dobbs moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Bears gave the Lions all they could handle last Sunday, only to collapse in the final minutes in a heartbreaking 31-26 loss. Still, Chicago owns Carolina’s first-round pick and their own, so a defeat might not have been the worst thing in the world. At 3-8, they don’t have any realistic shot at the postseason, but can certainly help spoil the chances of a rival in the Vikings.

All eyes will be on Minnesota on Monday night, as a fabulous five days of football comes to an end. Let’s figure out how this one will go down…

Vikings -3.0 (-110)

What to like about this line…

• As mentioned, the Vikings have won five of six games, and clearly still believe even after QB Kirk Cousins was lost for the year due to an Achilles injury. Dobbs has filled in admirably, rallying them against the Falcons when he was forced into duty and didn’t even know his teammates names. He also helped them beat the Saints 27-19 and very well could’ve topped Denver last week if a flag was thrown on a key fumble that got Broncos safety Kareem Jackson suspended four games. Minnesota has rallied from an 0-3 start to go 6-2 over its last eight games, and five of those six wins have come by more than a field goal. Even against Atlanta they won by three, which would be a push in this case. If you believe in the Vikings, don’t be afraid to lay the points.

• In the first meeting, Minnesota topped Chicago by six points in a gross 19-13 victory. The Bears have lost games this year by 18 points, 10 points, 31 points and 17 points, so they’re no strangers to get blown out. They’re 1-5 on the road and have lost by an average of 14 points per game in those five beatdowns. Running back D’Onta Foreman is listed as doubtful, taking away a playmaker from an offense that doesn’t have a ton of them. There just isn’t a lot of reason to like this Bears team, especially when they’re only an underdog by a field goal. The evidence is simply not there that they can be trusted, even showing last week against the Lions no lead is safe with a defense that’s allowed 286 points, the second worst in the NFL entering Week 12.

What not to like about this line…

• Chicago got QB Justin Fields back against Detroit, and it obviously made a huge difference. The former first-round pick missed 4.5 games in a season he needs to prove he’s the guy moving forward. Fields threw for 169 yards against the Lions, but also rushed for 104, showing he’s one of the most-dynamic quarterbacks in the game. It wasn’t really his fault they blew a 26-14 lead, which would’ve been one of the most stunning upsets of the season. And wide receiver D.J. Moore has proved to be an excellent addition to the offense, catching 59 passes for 889 yards and six touchdowns. Moore has gone over 100 yards three times and has found the end zone in four of their games. He’s the most legit WR this offense has had in some time and could help keep this one close.

• Vikings star Justin Jefferson is listed as questionable. If he misses yet another game with a hamstring injury, it’s a huge boost to Chicago’s chances. He hasn’t played since Oct. 8 against the Chiefs, and some think it makes sense to hold him out one more time with Minnesota’s bye upcoming.

• The Vikings are just 2-3 at home this season, including losses to the mediocre Buccaneers and Chargers, showing that U.S. Bank Stadium isn’t some sort of House of Horrors to play in. They also don’t have Cousins, which is a game-changer. The clock may have struck midnight on Dobbs in Denver, and the Bears will look to exploit that. There’s an argument to be made they can keep this within three points or maybe even win.

Over / Under 43.0 (-110)

What to like about the over…

• Minnesota has gone over this number in three of its last four home games, fortunate to be playing indoors as the weather gets colder. The Vikings combined for 46 points with the Saints, 47 points with the Chiefs and 52 with the Chargers. The Bears have been over this total in four of their six road games, going for 57 with the Lions, 60 with the Commanders, 51 with the Chiefs and 44 with the Buccaneers.

• Fields and Moore form a dynamic duo, and you can’t count out the production of tight end Cole Kmet, who’s had two games with two touchdowns. It’d help the Vikings if Jefferson plays, but T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison are still adequate weapons for Dobbs. There’s enough star power for this low number to go over.

What to like about the under…

• The first time these teams met back in October, they only combined by 32 points. That’s a game that went comfortably under, and the best research you can do when the squads meet a second time.

• The Bears have gone under 43 points in four of their last six games and pushed another time, when they lost 30-13 to the Chargers. Minnesota has also gone under this total in four of their last six games, including just 34 points with the Packers and 39 with the 49ers, who maybe have the most-dynamic offense in the NFL. If you’re just playing the odds from recent trends, the under makes a lot of sense.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Minnesota ML (-155)

While Minnesota’s overall home record is nothing to write home about, it’s worth noting the Vikings have gone 2-0 in their last two games in Minneapolis. That includes an impressive win over the 49ers and a game against the Saints that was not nearly as close as the final 27-19 score indicates. They’re motivated to get this one, while the Bears aren’t counting down to Cancun quite yet (but can’t be far away). What happened against Detroit is tough to ignore, crushing any hope of a miraculous playoff run. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is only in year two, but he looks like one of the most-brilliant young minds in the game. He’ll continue to get the most out of Dobbs, as Minnesota pulls out a nail-biter by a final score of 23-20.