How to bet Minnesota-Chicago
NFL VEGAS EXPERTS
ESPN INSIDER
10/9/17
ESPN Chalk's NFL Vegas experts (Phil Steele, Erin Rynning, Warren Sharp and Mike Clay) are here to provide analysis and best bets for Monday night's tilt between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
Note: Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Chicago Bears
Total: 39.5
PickCenter public consensus pick: 68 percent on Minnesota
Phil Steele
The Mitchell Trubisky era begins Monday as the rookie quarterback takes over for the ineffective Mike Glennon. While the Vikings saw some positive things out of their defense a week ago against the Lions by allowing just 266 yards, it's their offense that comes in as a big question mark following the loss of rookie running back Dalvin Cook to an ACL and continued knee problems for quarterback Sam Bradford. Although Minnesota remains on a strong 23-11 ATS run overall, it's hard not to back the Bears at home at the moment after strong Soldier Field outings against the Falcons (throwing into the end zone at the end trailing by six) and the Steelers (won outright in overtime).
ATS pick: Lean Chicago
Erin Rynning
Expect a hyperconservative game plan from the Bears with rookie Trubisky making his first career start and turnovers haunting the offense to begin with. Of course, the Bears are lacking in playmakers in the passing game to begin with, as the offense will face an uphill battle against this talented Vikings defense. However, the Vikings are limited on offense as well and the loss of running back Cook magnifies the issue.
Pick: Lean Under
Warren Sharp
With Bradford seemingly set to return for this game, the Vikings' passing offense should be able to pick up where it left off. The problem is that Cook provided tremendous balance and is now on injured reserve. As such, the Vikings' run game will be substantially less effective. Thus, even though the Bears are the easiest run defense the Vikings have faced since Week 1 (New Orleans), they may not have the success when featuring Latavius Murray. I'm highly intrigued to see Trubisky make his first start, but to forecast exactly what the offensive coordinator will try to do is a bit ambitious at this point. I assume they will continue with a more run heavy approach, but it will be interesting to see the types of passing concepts they make available to Trubisky. I won't speculate too much and will simply watch this one play out.
Pick: Pass
Mike Clay
ATS pick: Minnesota
Prediction: Minnesota 21, Chicago 17
NFL VEGAS EXPERTS
ESPN INSIDER
10/9/17
ESPN Chalk's NFL Vegas experts (Phil Steele, Erin Rynning, Warren Sharp and Mike Clay) are here to provide analysis and best bets for Monday night's tilt between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
Note: Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Chicago Bears
Total: 39.5
PickCenter public consensus pick: 68 percent on Minnesota
Phil Steele
The Mitchell Trubisky era begins Monday as the rookie quarterback takes over for the ineffective Mike Glennon. While the Vikings saw some positive things out of their defense a week ago against the Lions by allowing just 266 yards, it's their offense that comes in as a big question mark following the loss of rookie running back Dalvin Cook to an ACL and continued knee problems for quarterback Sam Bradford. Although Minnesota remains on a strong 23-11 ATS run overall, it's hard not to back the Bears at home at the moment after strong Soldier Field outings against the Falcons (throwing into the end zone at the end trailing by six) and the Steelers (won outright in overtime).
ATS pick: Lean Chicago
Erin Rynning
Expect a hyperconservative game plan from the Bears with rookie Trubisky making his first career start and turnovers haunting the offense to begin with. Of course, the Bears are lacking in playmakers in the passing game to begin with, as the offense will face an uphill battle against this talented Vikings defense. However, the Vikings are limited on offense as well and the loss of running back Cook magnifies the issue.
Pick: Lean Under
Warren Sharp
With Bradford seemingly set to return for this game, the Vikings' passing offense should be able to pick up where it left off. The problem is that Cook provided tremendous balance and is now on injured reserve. As such, the Vikings' run game will be substantially less effective. Thus, even though the Bears are the easiest run defense the Vikings have faced since Week 1 (New Orleans), they may not have the success when featuring Latavius Murray. I'm highly intrigued to see Trubisky make his first start, but to forecast exactly what the offensive coordinator will try to do is a bit ambitious at this point. I assume they will continue with a more run heavy approach, but it will be interesting to see the types of passing concepts they make available to Trubisky. I won't speculate too much and will simply watch this one play out.
Pick: Pass
Mike Clay
ATS pick: Minnesota
Prediction: Minnesota 21, Chicago 17
