Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

While both the 2-3 Chicago Bears and 1-4 Minnesota Vikings are well out of the NFC North race at the moment, both teams will want to win what is sure to be a heated rivalry game on Sunday night. The Bears will probably be the more desperate team, though, as they are closer to playoff contention.

The Bears are certainly a Jekyll-and-Hyde team that is equally capable of turning in an excellent or awful performance. When quarterback Jay Cutler decides to have a good game, the Bears are usually successful. When he doesn't, it tends to get ugly.

Minnesota has been close on many occasions this season, but didn't pick up its first win until last week over the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings have blown multiple first-half leads due to getting away from the running game, but if last week was any indication, Adrian Peterson will be featured heavily against the Bears.

The Bears are slight favorites, but anything can happen in these hard-hitting divisional contests.

Where: Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.

When: Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8:20 p.m. EDT

Watch: NBC

Spread: Chicago Bears (-3)

The Bears are understandably favored as they went to the NFC Championship Game last year and have a better record this season, but they will likely be without defensive end Julius Peppers. Also, the Vikings can easily expose Chicago's weak run defense with Adrian Peterson.

The pass rushing tandem of Jared Allen and Brian Robison will give the Bears' porous offensive line a workout as well, so I fully expect the Vikings to win this game outright.

Over/Under: 42

I don't have a great feel for this over/under either way, but I definitely think the Vikings will put up some points and the Bears will keep it within one score. Because of that I would be inclined to take the over if I had to.

Vikings Key Injuries

Doubtful: DB Antoine Winfield (neck)

Questionable: WR Percy Harvin (ribs), OL Charlie Johnson (triceps)

Bears Key Injuries

Out: WR Earl Bennett (chest), OL Gabe Carimi (knee), DL Matt Toeaina (knee)

Doubtful: DL Julius Peppers (knee)

Big Fantasy Plays

RB Adrian Peterson (MIN) - Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is an awesome play every week, and Week 6 will certainly be no different. The once-vaunted Bears defense has been very weak this season, especially against the run. The Detroit Lions and Jahvid Best ran all over Chicago last week, and Peterson should do the same on Sunday night.

RB Matt Forte (CHI) - The Vikings have been one of the league's best teams against the run, but running back Matt Forte is the player that makes Chicago's offense go. Forte has nearly 450 rushing yards and almost 350 receiving yards through five games and accounts for the vast majority of the Bears' yardage, so he'll get his touches and he'll put up numbers.

Keys to Vikings Win

The Vikings will need to copy last week's offensive game plan in order to beat the Bears on Sunday night. Rather than trying to force it with Donovan McNabb and the passing game, the Vikings went back to basics last week and used Peterson to run all over the Arizona Cardinals.

Minnesota will have to do the same against Chicago's shoddy run defense and keep it going throughout the game. For whatever reason, the Vikings have turned to McNabb in the second half often this season, but if they keep pounding the rock, they'll be in great shape.

Keys to Bears Win

The Bears have to tighten up a lot of things if they want to win this game, in my opinion. First and foremost, the run defense must improve. If the Bears can frustrate Peterson early in the game, then it might prompt Minnesota to turn to the passing game, and that gives the Bears a big advantage.

The offensive line also needs to play much better because the combination of Allen and Robison could make Cutler's life absolutely miserable. Also, on offense, the Bears have to commit to the run early in order to open up the pass as the game goes on.

Prediction

Vikings 27, Bears 20