The Minnesota Vikings were the last unbeaten team in the NFL until they succumbed to the Eagles last week. But there’s a good chance the Vikings can get back to their winning ways in their Week 8 contest with the division rival Chicago Bears. Injuries continue to sabotage the Bears season with a few more players down for the count after last week’s game, but they will get Jay Cutler back in the lineup after he was given the thumbs up from medical personnel to resume playing.
This contest in Week 8 of the regular season will go down Monday, October 31, 2016, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Minnesota Vikings -6
Chicago Bears +6
Over/Under 40.5
Odds Analysis
Including the preseason, the Vikings were 9-0 ATS this season before Sunday’s loss, so it’s only right that over 80 percent of the wagers have been on the visitors. Don’t expect the spread to move too much and if you trust the Minnesota defense, taking the Vikes minus the points is a good play. Besides, the Bears can’t win at home going just 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS over their last nine at Soldier Field.
Injury Report
Andrew Sendejo – Until Sunday, the Vikings had been spared injuries on the defensive side of the football. That changed when Sendejo was lost with an ankle injury. The starting safety had a pick of Carson Wentz before going down, taking nearly every defensive snap at his position with him. Jayron Kearse took over and missed a few tackles while struggling to get in proper position.
Kyle Long – The Bears’ starting guard left the last game with an arm injury and is not expected to play against the Vikings. It’s another blow to an offensive line that has been reshuffled several times to injuries. Chicago will be without its starting guards as Josh Sitton is also sidelined with an ankle injury.
Player to Watch
Sure, Brian Hoyer put up some good numbers while filling in as the Bears’ quarterback, but the bottom line remained the same. And with Hoyer out with a broken arm, getting Cutler cleared to play came at the right time for Chicago. Cutler has had his difficulties over the years with the interceptions and fumbles all while looking disinterested in a Bears uniform. But like him or not, he gives Chicago the best chance at winning football games, and right now the Bears certainly could use a win.
Cutler hasn’t played since injuring his thumb in Week 2 and reports have surfaced that the team is looking to move on from their enigmatic signal-caller next season. Cutler hasn’t been worth the two first-round picks and a third-rounder Chicago traded away to get him, posting just a 50-49 record as a starter and leading the Bears to one postseason trip in his seven seasons. But he’s all the Bears have right now. Even at less than 100 percent, Cutler is the Bears best hope at winning. Matt Barkley isn’t going to beat Minnesota and Cutler may not as well, but he will give the Vikings something to think about.
Free ATS Pick
All the critics and Monday morning quarterbacks come out following a loss and the Vikings had their share. But can you really be critical of a team that’s 5-1? Of course you can, but some are taking it too far. The Vikings got very little love for starting the year unbeaten despite the loss of Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson. Many said it was luck or a soft schedule. But the Vikes won the games and their defense is as solid as they get.
The Bears will have Cutler back behind center and his recovery came just in time. With Hoyer out, the Bears would have turned to Barkley. The kid has some talent or he wouldn’t be in the NFL, but he may be in the league because the other talent is injured. Whatever the case may be, Chicago’s odds of winning increase with Cutler, but those odds still aren’t favorable. The Bears will be without two starters on the offensive line and that will severely hinder their chances of scoring enough points. The Bears will play hard but they just lack the talent with all the injuries. This game sets up as a low-scoring affair, and Minnesota gets the cover and cashes the under with some defensive work.
NFL Odds: Vikings 20, Bears 13
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