Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Prediction, 1/8/2023 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears

Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023

Location: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Bears (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45

The Minnesota Vikings (12-4) are traveling to Soldier Field on Sunday where they will compete against the Chicago Bears (3-13). Minnesota is 2.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 45.

The Minnesota Vikings head into this matchup 12-4 for this season. When they last took the field, the Vikings faced off with the Packers and took a loss by a final of 41-17. Kirk Cousins connected on 18/31 with 205 yards passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 49.2 and walked away from the game with 3 interceptions. Alexander Mattison was the rushing leader for the Vikings with 8 totes for 38 yds (4.8 yards per carry). Jalen Nailor averaged 29.7 yards per reception by tallying 89 yards on 3 receptions. The Minnesota Vikings ran the rock 20 times and totaled 102 yds, which had them averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In all, they had 57 plays which gave them 346 yds. Minnesota allowed 17 completions on 27 attempts for a total of 152 yds, and a completion percentage of 63.0%. Against the run, the Vikings conceded 163 yds on 33 tries, which calculates to 4.9 yds per run allowed.

The Vikings have tallied 5,663 total yards for this campaign. Minnesota has accounted for 229 1st downs, and they have committed 80 infractions for 648 yds. In terms of notching touchdowns, Minnesota has totaled 29 passing touchdowns and 16 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 21 different times (14 interceptions and 7 fumbles lost). As a team they average 95.0 yards in the run game ranking them 27th in the league. When it comes to scoring, the Minnesota Vikings hold an average of 24.7 PPG.

When it comes to yards via the pass, the Vikings have conceded 4,374 yards which puts them in 31st in the National Football League. They have relinquished 273.4 yards per game through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 66.9%. In total, they are allowing 396.8 yards per outing putting them at 31st in the NFL. They have surrendered 22 touchdowns via the pass as well as 17 touchdowns on the ground. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and 123.4 rushing yards per contest for the season. Overall, they have given up 1,975 rushing yards through 16 contests. The Vikings are ranked 31st in the National Football League concerning the opposition scoring, allowing 25.9 PPG.

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The Bears step onto the field holding a record of 3-13 for this year. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Bears took a loss by a final score of 41-10 against the Lions. Justin Fields (1 touchdown) walked away from the contest with 75 yds on 7/21 passing while his QB rating was 40.8. He had 1 pick and his Y/A was 3.6 yards. Justin Fields carried the football 10 times for 132 yards, ending the contest with 13.2 yds per carry for Chicago. Cole Kmet was the leading receiver for the Bears, bringing in 2 footballs for 27 yds (13.5 yds per catch). Chicago rushed for 9.1 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 200 yds on 22 attempts. The Bears finished the contest with a total of 230 yds on 50 plays (4.6 yards per play). The Bears pass defense conceded a completion rate of 72.4%, relinquishing 239 yards on 21 for 29 through the air. Chicago allowed 39 attempts on the ground for 265 yds (6.8 yards per rush).

The Chicago Bears maintain an average of 310.9 yards/game which has them ranked 28th in the league. They are averaging 181.0 yards per game via the rush and have run for 2,896 yards for the year. The Chicago offense has accrued 734 penalty yards on 78 infractions, which has them ranked 28th in the NFL in terms of making mistakes. They have tossed 13 picks while losing 10 fumbles and they have obtained 100 1st downs. For the season so far, the Bears currently sit at 2,078 yards via the pass in addition to holding an average of 129.9 passing yards per contest, which is ranked 32nd in the league. Concerning their scoring prowess, the Bears are 23rd in the NFL with 19.6 points per outing.

The Bears are conceding 27.1 PPG, which has them in 32nd of all teams in the league. They have given up 21 touchdowns through the air and 210.9 yards per game, which puts them in 14th in the league. This season, they have surrendered 434 points in total. Chicago has surrendered a total of 2,533 yards on the ground (158.3 yards per game) and 29 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the season. The Bears defense has participated in 972 plays, which is good for 7th in the NFL. They have totaled 21 takeaways (8 fumbles and 13 picks) for the year.

Who will win tonight's Vikings/Bears NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Vikings -2.5

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