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Vikings vs. Bears Odds, Picks, Predictions Week 18: No Fields, No Threat for Chicago's Offense

Brenden Schaeffer

Last Updated: January 8, 2023 6:17 AM EST • 2 min 24 sec read.

Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images via AFP.
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images via AFP.

Nathan Peterman will replace Justin Fields as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears in Week 18. Can the Bears survive this loss when Chicago hosts the Minnesota Vikings Sunday? Read on for our top Vikings vs. Bears pick.

With the No. 1 NFL Draft pick still technically in play, the Bears (3-13) ruled out Fields with a hip injury for their final season game.

The Vikings (12-4) are still playing for an NFC No. 2 seed, so don’t expect Minnesota to lay off the gas against an undermanned rival.

Here is our best Vikings vs. Bears Week 18 NFL pick (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our NFL best bets.

Vikings vs. Bears Game Info

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
  • TV: FOX
  • Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
  • Weather: 29 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 2-mph winds

Vikings vs. Bears Odds

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Vikings vs. Bears Odds Analysis

The Vikings opened as 2-point favorites but saw 92% of the money wagered push the line to -7 across our affiliated sportsbooks. 

The total opened at 45.5 but lost some helium down to between 42.5 and 43.5 across recommended books. Fields’ absence certainly played a part. 58% of the money wagered, though, still went Over.

Vikings vs. Bears Pick

Vikings -5.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Vikings won't get the No. 1 seed in Week 18, but they can still reclaim the No. 2 spot with a win in Chicago and a San Francisco loss to Arizona. Though a scenario where the 49ers fall to the sputtering Cardinals seems unlikely, the Vikings don't plan to rest their starters in a significant way.

"I think it would probably be more subtle (changes), just knowing that the 2 seed is still available for us," Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said on the topic. Fortunately for Minnesota, a win Sunday becomes much easier when it’s Peterman on the other side instead of Fields.

Fields’ rushing ability was the only thing keeping the Bears competitive in games this year. Even with him in the lineup, Chicago fell the Minnesota 29-22 in the two teams' previous meeting. Chicago has a decent enough 3-4-1 ATS home record this season, but Peterman will struggle to score enough points to mitigate a Bears’ defense that allows an NFL-worst 27.1 opponent points per game.

As Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson shoots for some personal accolades, expect a Chicago D that gave up 240 passing yards per game over its last three contests to cough up plenty of air production. Chicago's O-line won’t have the juice to keep it within a touchdown, especially if Peterman (and his career 3:13 TD:INT ratio) starts turning over the ball.

Vikings vs. Bears Best Odds

FanDuel: Vikings -5.5 (-114)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Vikings -6Vikings -5.5Vikings -6Vikings -6Vikings -6
-115-114-110-110-115

DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM and PointsBet all list the Vikings at -6, but the varying odds are worth monitoring when looking for value. BetMGM and Caesars are quality options with -110 odds, but avoid the -115 offerings at DraftKings and PointsBet.

FanDuel offers the most attractive number, the only book listing Minnesota at -5.5. The odds are juiced to -114. Since that minor movement on the odds from -110 is more affordable than buying the half-point at most books, take the value of this wager at FanDuel. 

Vikings-Bears pick made 1/7/2023 at 10:05 a.m. ET.

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Written By:
Brenden Schaeffer
Since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2016, Brenden Schaeffer has covered the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues hockey as a writer for KMOV in St. Louis. He also co-hosts 'The Big Show' on KTGR radio in Columbia, Missouri. The show airs in afternoon drive, weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Brenden has contributed to SBR since 2021, providing insights on NFL, NCAAF, NCAAB, and the NBA. You can download his daily baseball podcast, B-Schaeff Daily, on Spotify or Apple podcasts, and you can find Brenden across social media @bschaeffer12.