MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 12: CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

BY ADAM GREENE

This was the first week where Monday Night Football games could be flexed, so if anyone can explain to me why this particular game, the Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, wasn’t immediately pulled from the schedule and replaced with the Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans or Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles, I’d love to hear it.

I’m sure CBS probably would have objected, but we, as a civilization, would have rejoiced. Instead, we get this game to cap our Thanksgiving weekend of football.

The two franchises have faced off every year since Minnesota first entered the league in 1961. This will be the 126^th meeting between the teams with the Vikings holding a 65-57-2 advantage in the series. Minnesota has won the last five straight and six of the last seven going back to 2020. They last faced off back on Oct. 15 with Minny taking a 19-13 victory. Kirk Cousins (now out for the year with a torn Achilles) was 21 of 31 passing for 181 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Alexander Mattison rushed 18 times for 44 yards. TJ Hockenson caught six passes for 50 yards.

In the loss, Justin Field was 6 of 10 passing before getting knocked from the game for 58 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Tyson Bagent, out of the bullpen, was 10 of 14 passing for 83 yards, no TDs and a pick. D’Onta Foreman rushed 15 times for 65 yards. DJ Moore caught five passes for 51 yards.

CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-3.5, O/U: 45.5)

Location: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.

Broadcast: ABC/ESPN

Kickoff: Nov. 27, 8:15 p.m.

CHICAGO BEARS (3-8)

With Justin Fields back, the Bears made it game, but dropped a tight one, 31-26, to the Detroit Lions last week. Fields was 16 of 23 passing for 169 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked twice.  He led the team rushing with 18 carries for 104 yards. D’Onta Foreman had six rushes for 14 yards and a TD. DJ Moore hauled in seven passes for 96 yards and a score. The defense sacked Jared Goff twice and picked him off three times.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-5)

Joshua Dobbs took his first loss with the Vikings, just barely, falling 21-20 to the surging Denver Broncos last week. Dobbs finished 2-0 of 32 passing for 221 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. He scrambled eight times for 21 yards and a TD and was sacked twice. Alexander Mattison rushed 18 times for 81 yards. TJ Hockenson caught four passes for 55 yards. The defense held Denver to just 46 yards on the ground and sacked Russell Wilson twice. 

THE PICK

With a healthy Fields, these two teams are more evenly matched than you think. Still, Minnesota is a tough place to play so I’m going with the home team. Vikings 24, Bears 20

Last week

Straight up: 10-4

Against the spread: 6-8

Season

Straight up: 95-55

Against the spread: 81-69

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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