Week 17: Bears vs Vikings Picks
Week 17 NFL betting action sees the Chicago Bears taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cappers Picks provides free NFL handicapping tips all season long.
With nothing on the line Sunday afternoon, the spotlight will be focused on the return of Bears QB Jay Cutler, who was benched week 16, only to be put back as the starter for the finale of the 2014 campaign.
NFL Football Odds
Chicago Bears (5-10) vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-9)
Sunday, Dec. 28
1:00 PM ET
TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
FOX
NFL Football Betting Lines: Minnesota -7
NFL Football O/U: 44
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The Vikings look to finish on a high note in a season that saw their star running back get suspended indefinitely.
Chicago
So many questions lie ahead for the Chicago Bears in the offseason. While the blame can be put on many for the Bears struggles in 2014, the scapegoat for all the problems seems to be pointed at QB Jay Cutler. Cutler, who is owed 15 million dollars next season, will get the starting nod Sunday afternoon in what could be the final time fans see him in a Bears jersey.
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QB Jay Cutler was benched in week 16, but when then starting QB Jimmy Clausen took a shot to the head, Cutler was given the go to start the finale.
Jay Cutler has shown he has the potential to lead a team to success, but his inconsistency led to the Bears struggles this season. Cutler threw for 3640 yards with 28 touchdowns. His troubles seemed to brew when he would start turning the ball over. Cutler threw for 18 interceptions and fumbled 12 times over the span of 14 games.
Along with the struggles of Jay Cutler came the struggles of RB Matt Forte. While Forte wasn’t as bad, he still couldn’t find much consistency, like Cutler.
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Forte only found the end zone 6 times thus far, and rushed for over 100 yards just 3 times. Matt Forte did however take care of the football, only fumbling twice this season.
Chicago will look to close the season with a win and push their road record to .500 at 4-4.
Minnesota
The Vikings can have a bit of optimism heading into the offseason. While they’ve had a strange season, it is possible they may have found a franchise QB in Teddy Bridgewater. That being said, the Vikings will hope that new RB Matt Asiata can replace former RB Adrian Peterson. With big shoes to fill, Asiata has shown signs of brightness throughout the season following Peterson’s suspension.
QB Teddy Bridgewater has led the Vikings to 5 of their 6 wins this season. He has thrown for 2710 yards with 13 touchdowns. Like his counterpart Sunday Jay Cutler, interceptions have been trouble for Bridgewater. He has thrown 11 interceptions to go along with 3 lost fumbles.
With the possibility of finding their quarterback of the future, the Vikings may have also ran into a potential running back of the future. RB Matt Asiata has rushed for 9 touchdowns and 479 yards on just 145 attempts. Over the past two weeks, Asiata has scored 3 times and shown his dual threat ability with 10 receptions. Asiata will likely be the starter in 2015 for the Vikings.
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Minnesota will look to get their 1st win over a divisional opponent when they take the field Sunday. The Vikings are currently 0-5 against the division this season.
NFL Football Handicapping Trends:
- Bears are 11-24-1 ATS in their last 36 games overall.
- Bears are 4-9 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
- Vikings are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games in December.
Free 4* NFL Football Pick: Over 44
With the way both defenses struggle, combined with the young Vikings attack, this number seems relatively low.
Minnesota 27, Chicago 24
Look for the Vikings to move the ball along with Bears QB Jay Cutler perhaps giving a final show for Bears fans.
Check out our Updated NFL Football Week 17 Odds.
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