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Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears NFL Betting & Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The Bears could actually be 6-0, but they have let several games slip away, including last week’s contest with the Falcons. They’ll need to be much better closers this week against a Minnesota team which has won two in a row with last-minute heroics. Odds makers feel the Bears will get back on track this week and have listed Chicago as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 37.5.

Losses don’t get anymore painful that last week’s 22-20 loss at Atlanta. The Bears went up 20-19 on a Kyle Orton to Radhied Davis touchdown pass with only 11 seconds left to play. A squib kick was then returned to the 44-yard line of the Falcons followed by a 26-yard pass completion. With one second on the game clock, Jason Elam connected on a 48-yard field goal to seal the deal.

All three of Chicago’s losses this season have come by three points of fewer after blowing late leads. Chicago let a 14-point second half lead slip away in a loss to Carolina and also waved good bye to a 10-point fourth quarter advantage versus Tampa Bay.

Last week’s loss kept the Bears from a third straight win and also knotted them with Green Bay and Minnesota for the top spot in the NFC North division.

Chicago knows its key to success will be stopping the Minnesota running attack, which is led by second-year pro Adrian Peterson. Peterson ranks third in the NFL with 563 yards and the Bears can’t soon forget what he did to them last year at Soldier Field. Peterson gashed Chicago for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Chicago’s defense has looked much better this season and is currently ranked fifth in the league against the run, allowing only 74.3 yards per game.

Offensively, the Bears must continue to feed rookie running back Matt Forte who has provided the offense with nice balance. Forte ranks fifth in the NFL with 459 yards, but he’ll face a tough task in going up against Minnesota’s fourth-ranked run defense this week.

Last Sunday, Forte carried 20 times for 76 yards and a score against the Falcons.

Bears QB Kyle Orton continues to prove that he should be the undisputed starter. He is 122 of 198 for 1386 yards and eight touchdowns this season. If you think Chicago will bounce back at home this week, bet the Bears at -3 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% signup bonus.

Doing your NFL betting on the Vikings this season has caused some headaches early on, but Minnesota has rebounded to win three of four and to move into a tie for first in the NFC North.

Minnesota has not looked sharp offensively all season long however, not scoring more than two offensive touchdowns in a game this season. Its 18.8 points per game average is good for only 24th in the league.

Fans were not happy despite beating Detroit 12-10 last week, calling for head coach Brad Childress’ head.

Kicker Ryan Longwell has been Minnesota’s savior each of the past two weeks, connecting on a game winner from 26 yards out with nine seconds left last week and doing the same from 30 yards out with 13 seconds remaining the week before.

While the offense has not been explosive, at least veteran signal caller Gus Frerotte is putting the Vikings in a position to win. He took over for starter Tarvaris Jackson after the Vikes got off to an 0-2 start. Frerotte went 18 of 33 for 296 yards against Detroit, including an 86-yard TD to former Bear wideout Bernard Berrian.

Against New Orleans, Frerotte was 19 of 36 for 222 yards and one touchdown. And he has proven to be at his best in critical situations, engineering late drives in each of Minnesota’s last two wins. Frerotte’s solid play will be critical to Minnesota having a shot at another win this week. If you think Minnesota will keep right on rolling, bet the Vikings at +3 at BetUS.

Check out the NFL betting odds each week at Locksmith Sports to see which book has the best line on the game. It will only take you one half-point loss before you realize that every half-point counts.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy’s Boyd’s Black and Blue Division SMASH is featured on this game this week in his week 7 NFL picks package.

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