NFL Week 11 Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
Sunday, 11/16/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -3
Current Betting Line: Chicago -2.5
Opening Total: 47
Current Total: 46
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Chicago Bears have dominated this rivalry when playing at Soldier Field

Minnesota has won and covered the number in back-to-back games, including a 29-26 victory over the Washington Redskins as one-point home underdogs on Nov. 2, while going OVER the betting total for the first time in four contests. The Vikings are being led offensively by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Jerick McKinnon, which is important to consider when making your Week 11 NFL predictions, as star Adrian Peterson is still suspended. Minnesota is 0-2 SUATS following a bye week the last two-plus seasons.

The Vikings have been happy with McKinnon’s production on the field, as he’s ran for 240 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his last three games played, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines. Minnesota is hoping to add another weapon for Bridgewater to target downfield, as the team anticipates the return of tight end Kyle Rudolph after missing the last six affairs.

Chicago is arguably the worst team in the league at this point, as it suffered a 55-14 setback to the Green Bay Packers as 9.5-point road underdogs last time out, while getting out-gained by a triple-digit margin for a third consecutive contest. The Bears need signal-caller Jay Cutler to protect the football in order to snap their three-game losing streak, as he’s tied for the league lead with 15 giveaways, but he’s won all five of his career games against the Vikings at Soldier Field. Chicago is 2-7 SU and 1-8 ATS in weeks 10 through 13 since the start of the 2012 campaign.

The Bears are allowing 30.8 points and 268.6 passing yards per game this season, as they’ve produced little to no pass rush the entire year, but they’ve got an opportunity to turn things around in this spot. Chicago has proven victorious in 12 of its last 13 games in this NFC North series when playing in the Windy City. Expect a big game from Bears running back Matt Forte, as he averaged 156.0 yards from scrimmage in two meetings a year ago.