Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: Week 17 game prediction

The Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings game carries a ton of potential implications with it. Something that was never the case for years.

Not only will this matchup affect the playoff fates of both teams to varying extents. It also holds the fate of another team in the balance. Every Philadelphia Eagles fan will be watching the scoreboard, knowing their hopes of defending their Super Bowl crown now rest on what the Bears decide to do. With the season finale at hand, here’s a quick breakdown of the rivalry matchup, who’s hot, who’s cold, and who will prove decisive to the outcome.

Storylines:

Finding motivation – This is a game where the two teams have different agendas. The Vikings know their situation. If they lose, they miss the playoffs. So they know they need to win. The Bears, on the other hand, have to dig deeper for their motivation. There is still the #2 seed that is a possibility but the odds of the Rams, who currently control it, losing to San Francisco are remote. So it may prove difficult for head coach Matt Nagy to compel his team to go for the kill.

Injuries:

Eric Kendricks – The linebacker will miss the game today due to a hamstring issue he suffered the previous week, leaving a sizable hole in the middle of that defense. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota is able to adjust against the run with the trio of Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, and Mitch Trubisky creating issues for them in the previous game.

Allen Robinson – Facing a tough defense like Minnesota is hard enough when at full strength, but the Bears offense will be under significant stress now that their top receiver will miss the game with a rib injury he suffered in the win over the 49ers. Trubisky wasn’t overly explosive as a passer the last time Robinson was out a few weeks back.

Key matchups:

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Bobby Massie vs. Danielle Hunter – One of the reasons Chicago won the first matchup was they were able to at least control star Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter who has 14.5 sacks this season. The problem is that was the easy test. A total of 9.5 of those sacks came at home for Hunter, meaning he plays much better in that dome. Right tackle Bobby Massie will have his hands full.

Deon Bush vs. Kyle Rudolph – Star Bears safety Eddie Jackson will miss the game today as well due to an ankle injury. This could open the Bears defense up to significant big plays over the middle of the field where he normally patrols. Reserve Deon Bush did well enough in his first start against George Kittle, allowing no catches despite being targeted twice. He’ll have to do it again with Kyle Rudolph who’s had a hot hand lately for Minnesota.

X-factors:

Dalvin Cook – The Vikings have renewed their commitment to running the football after firing offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. That means Dalvin Cook figures to see a lot of touches in this game. Given his skill set favors speed, that indoor track will present a bigger challenge for the Bears run defense, particularly inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith.

Jordan Howard – The Vikings defense, in general, is excellent but their greater weakness is against the run where they rank 11th compared to 3rd against the pass. Since the bye week, they’ve allowed at least 148 yards rushing by an opponent in four of six games. The injury to Eric Wright as mentioned earlier makes will make that harder to stop Jordan Howard who’s been averaging 4.32 yards per carry the past month.

Prediction: Vikings win 17-13

In the end, there are just too many advantages in the Vikings’ favor. They have a greater sense of urgency and the home field advantage. Chicago will keep it close thanks to their defense but Minnesota will end up doing just enough to pull out a close one. This likely will set up a third and final rubber match the next week in the wild card round.

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