The NFL closes out week 8 with a Monday Night Footabll contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. The game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN, with Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, and Lisa Salters calling the game.
This game is of note to the San Francisco 49ers because of draft implications. The 49ers currently hold the No. 2 pick with a 1-6 record. The Bears sit at No. 3 with an identical record, but a strong strength of schedule. SOS is the first tiebreaker for draft order ties, with the weaker SOS getting the better pick. The 49ers SOS is currently .500, while the Bears is .539. That is a difference of 3.5 games (Washington’s tie is the half game for Chicago). A Bears win increases the 49ers SOS, but getting some cushion in the draft order is more important.
The Vikings are a 4.5-point road favorite in this one. It’s an odd line to some degree. The Bears are struggling, but the Vikings are also coming off an ugly road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Minnesota’s defense remains strong, but the offense has numerous question marks. I picked the Bears to cover, but actually got the line earlier in the week at Bears +6. Divisional contests are always tough, and I think Chicago will give the Minnesota a tough night.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
Start time: 5:30 PM PT
TV channel: ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
Odds: Vikings -4.5, 40.5