Get ready for an epic NFC North showdown as the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. Both teams are hungry for a victory after their recent losses. With talented playmakers on both sides of the field, this game promises to be an exhilarating and high-stakes affair.
Let’s dive into the statistics. Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields has thrown for 1,370 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. As for Minnesota, Joshua Dobbs has thrown for 1,569 yards and eight touchdowns. D’Onta Foreman leads the Bears’ rushing attack with 381 yards and four touchdowns, while Alexander Mattison leads the Vikings with 542 rushing yards but has yet to find the end zone. In the receiving department, DJ Moore leads the Bears with 889 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while T.J. Hockenson is the Vikings’ go-to target with 736 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears are entering this game after a heartbreaking loss to the Lions, while the Vikings suffered a close defeat against the Broncos. Both teams are determined to bounce back and secure a crucial victory in this divisional matchup. The last time these two teams clashed earlier this season, the Vikings emerged victorious with a 19-13 win. Expect some intense competition as they aim to settle the score.
QB Matchup
Let’s compare the starting quarterbacks, Fields and Dobbs. Statistically, their seasons have been quite similar. Fields has a slightly higher passer rating at 93.3 compared to Dobbs’ 81.2. However, Dobbs has thrown for more yards and boasts a higher completion percentage. Both quarterbacks have shown glimpses of their potential to lead their teams to victory. It will be fascinating to see how they perform under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
While Justin Fields will have his top receiver in D.J. Moore at his disposal, Dobbs will be again without Justin Jefferson. The star wide receiver does not feel 100% to come back from his hamstring injury, so Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson will be the top targets for him.
Betting Insights
According to the latest NFL odds, the Vikings are favored by 3.5 points against the Bears. The over/under for the game is set at 43 points. Looking at recent performances, the Vikings have covered the spread in their last six games, making them a promising pick. However, divisional matchups can be quite unpredictable, so playing it safe by taking the over/under might be a wise choice. Given both teams’ offensive struggles, a lower-scoring game is more likely.
Fantasy Insights
For fantasy football enthusiasts, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this game. Fields and Dobbs both possess the potential to deliver solid numbers with their dual-threat abilities. Expect Hockenson and Moore to be targeted frequently in the passing game, as they are the top options for their respective quarterbacks. Additionally, keep an eye on the running back situation for both teams. If given the opportunity, Foreman and Mattison have the potential for explosive performances. Don’t forget about running back Khalil Herbert, who may take over as the clear RB1 in Chicago. The same could be said for Minnesota and Ty Chandler, who had 110 all-purpose yards last week vs. the Broncos.
PrizePicks Player Props of the Day
- Justin Fields Over 196.5 Passing Yards: Minnesota has allowed 226.6 passing yards to their opponents this season. They just let Russell Wilson throw for 259 on them last week. Add that with Fields struggling to pass this mark during the past two games, and a bounce-back game could be on the way for Chicago’s quarterback.
- Alexander Mattison Under 10.5 Receiving Yards: With Ty Chandler emerging as a possible lead back, this could be less work for Mattison. Even as the lead back, he hasn’t been much of a threat in the passing game. He has not surpassed 10 receiving yards in four of the past games (including just five yards combined in the last two games). In the game where he did surpass 10.5 yards, it was an out-of-the-blue 47-yard reception against the Falcons weeks ago. Just take the under, and trust Chandler to be more involved in the passing game out of the backfield compared to Mattison
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