The Vikings have gone Over in five of their last six games since losing DE Danielle Hunter, their best defensive player. Minnesota has a below-average defense, but its rushing and passing offense both are above-average, and the Vikings are averaging 30 points over their last six contests. Chicago started the season 6-1 to the Under, but with injuries on defense and an improved offense, the Over is 4-2 in the team's last six games. The Bears scored more than 20 points just once in their first six games but have produced 22 or more in four of their last six. I think the total could be closer to 60 than 40.

High scores are standard for the Vikings, with their lively offense and shaky defense. Their last six outings have produced 65, 47, 65, 60, 56 and 54 points. As for Chicago and its rickety offense, it somehow had four games during that stretch that generated 55, 56, 55 and a whopping 75 last weekend. A bonus development saw Minnesota waive CB Bashaud Breeland after a practice disruption on Saturday. The friendly weather forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures above freezing.

I realize the Bears are dealing with a slew of players on the reserve-COVID list, but the Vikings just aren't good enough to be six-point favorites over anyone. Remember, this was the team that lost to Detroit two weeks ago. Also, Minnesota has lost 16 of its last 20 games at Soldier Field. I'm on Chicago.

This one opened at Vikings -4, but with the Bears looking pretty good against the Packers -- at least for a half -- they have the profile of a live home 'dog. But with tackles Jason Peters and Larry Borom potentially unavailable, I wonder if Justin Fields will have much time in the pocket against a Vikings defense that struggles against the run but has a league-high 41 sacks on the year. And if Fields is taking shots, he's a risk to not finish the game considering his health. I don't love backing Kirk Cousins in primetime two weeks in a row, but with the Bears defense falling apart last week, I think the Vikings can get a lead early and sit on it.