NFL Betting Info 10/31

[TheGame]

Preview: Minnesota at Chicago


When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, October 31, 2016
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois


Their perfect record now a thing of the past, the Minnesota Vikings look to get back on track when they visit the Chicago Bears on Monday night in a matchup of NFC North rivals. The Vikings opened the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week but absorbed their first loss in a 21-10 defeat at Philadelphia last week.


Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer would not blame the bye week for stemming his team's momentum, instead pointing to a sea of mistakes that included four turnovers, six quarterback sacks and a kickoff return for a touchdown allowed. "So if you're going to do those things, you have no chance to win," Zimmer said. Chicago, which has dropped three in a row and six of seven, has a burgeoning soap opera building. Jay Cutler, who suffered a thumb injury in Week 2, is poised to return to the starting lineup amid a published report that Bears coach John Fox told friends that he is "done" with the veteran quarterback after this season.


TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Vikings -4.5. O/U: 40.5


ABOUT THE BEARS (1-6): Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a broken arm and third-stringer Matt Barkley appeared totally overmatched in last week's 26-10 loss at Green Bay. While Fox denied the report by the Chicago Tribune, insisting there's "absolutely no truth" to it, Cutler acknowledged: "He doesn't have a choice, I guess, at this point." The most pressing issue facing Fox and Cutler is how to jump-start an offense that is averaging a league-low 15.9 points per game and ranks 25th in the NFL in rush with an average of 87.9 yards. Chicago's defense sits 20th in the league, permitting an average of 24.1 points per game.


ABOUT THE VIKINGS (5-1): Injuries to top running back Adrian Peterson and along the offensive line are stagnating Minnesota, which ranks 31st in total offense (299.2 yards) and 30th in rushing (74.3). Quarterback Sam Bradford had six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first four starts but was picked off once and lost a pair of fumbles last week against his former team. One of his new favorite targets, wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, has 16 receptions and two touchdowns over the last three games but missed practice Thursday with a concussion. Still, the Vikings rely on a defense that is limiting foes to an NFL-low 14.0 points.


EXTRA POINTS


1. Minnesota swept the season series in 2015-16 and has won the last three meetings.


2. Chicago WR Alshon Jeffery has five TD receptions and is averaging 108.8 receiving yards in his last five games versus Minnesota.


3. Vikings WR Stefon Diggs hauled in two scoring passes in the last meeting versus Chicago.


PREDICTION: Vikings 23, Bears 16

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

NFL
LONG SHEET


Monday, October 31


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MINNESOTA (5 - 1) at CHICAGO (1 - 6) - 10/31/2016, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 19-4 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 19-4 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

NFL TRENDS


Monday, October 31


8:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Minnesota

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

NFL
Short Sheet


Week 8




Mon – Oct. 31


Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30 PM ET
Minnesota: 9-2 ATS in road lined games
Chicago: 31-49 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 3 out of their last 4

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

NFL Injury Report


MINNESOTA VIKINGS at CHICAGO BEARS on Monday night
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
--Out: DT Sharrif Floyd (knee), C/G Zac Kerin (hand), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle), S Andrew Sendejo, (ankle)
--Questionable: WR Cordarrelle Patterson (concussion), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), CB Marcus Sherels (wrist), WR Jarius Wright (ankle)
CHICAGO BEARS
--Out: CB Deiondre� Hall (ankle)
--Doubtful: NT Eddie Goldman (ankle), OT Kyle Long (triceps), WR Eddie Royal (toe)
--Questionable: CB Bryce Callahan (hamstring), RB Jeremy Langford (ankle), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), WR Cameron Meredith (shoulder), CB Tracy Porter (knee), G Josh Sitton (ankle).

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

Bears look for MNF upset


NFL Week 8 Monday Night Football Betting Preview
Minnesota Vikings (5-1 SU; 5-1 ATS) vs. Chicago Bears (1-6 SU; 1-6 ATS)


Odds: Minnesota (-5); Total set at 40.5


The Minnesota Vikings were the NFL's last remaining undefeated team entering Week 7 but that all changed after the game. The 1972 Miami Dolphins got to celebrate being the lone NFL team to finish a year undefeated rather early this season with the Vikings falling to the Eagles, and now Minnesota is left to pick up the pieces and get back on track.


Minnesota is back on the road to face a divisional opponent this week and although the Vikings and Bears have gone in different directions in 2016, this MNF game might not be as lopsided as the numbers and records suggest.


Chicago gets QB Jay Cutler back this week and while the jury on Cutler still remains negative, he is an upgrade over what the Bears had been trotting out there under center. Yes, Cutler is prone to INT's and poor decisions, but he's been around the NFL for long enough to be a productive player at the position and could surprise many this week.


The Bears have been atrocious for the most part this year, scoring more than 17 points once in seven games, and now they'll be up against one of the best defenses in the league. Even with all of Cutler's flaws as a NFL QB, Chicago would prefer to have him taking the snaps in a game like this and maybe even some moderate success against a top tier defense will help the Bears offense get back on track.


Typically, once a NFL team is 4-0 SU or better and suffers their first defeat of the year they are usually a good “play against” team the following week. That aura of invincibility is gone and it takes a week or two for those teams to get rolling again. That would mean that playing against the Vikings this week would be a play, but I don't believe that's the best betting option here.


Yes, Minnesota has their own issues to worry about – primarily a poor offensive line – but they will be able to put up some points against this porous Bears defense and I wouldn't be surprised to see this ATS result come right down to the wire with a point or two deciding the winner. That's why I believe the better betting play here is on the total as we could actually see some points in a primetime NFL game this year.


The total of 40.5 has been bet down after opening at 41 and it's in part because of the Bears ineptitude on offense and them facing a top quality Minnesota defense. But while nearly 65% of the bettors flock to the low side of this total, I'm going the other way.


Yes, the Bears have only scored more than 17 points once this year, and the Vikings gave up more than 17 points for the first time all year last week, but I'm expecting both teams to hit the 20-point mark and then decide a winner from there.


For one, Cutler's return allows Chicago to open up the playbook a bit more given his experience within the system. Whether that works out to a win or not is yet to be seen, but throwing different looks at this Vikings D and not becoming one-dimensional is how teams have success against them.


Cutler also loves to gunsling it and that's a style of play that generally favors points – whether it's for the Bears on a big play or a costly turnover that turns into points for the Vikings – we will see Cutler not shy about letting things loose.


Secondly, if Minnesota wants to become the legit Super Bowl contender that they deserve to be with their defense, their offense is going to have to start pulling it's own weight. Facing a Bears defense that has had its struggles this year is a good place to start and we could see Sam Bradford have a solid night.


Finally, although many of the recent historical trends between these two teams favor an 'under' play, two of the most four recent 'unders' between these organizations finished with 41 or more points. Both were in 23-20 victories for Minnesota – including in Minnesota's trip to Chicago last year – and this game should end up with a very similar result.


Best Bet: Take Over 40.5 points.

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

Preview: Vikings (5-1) at Bears (1-6)


Date: October 31, 2016 8:30 PM EDT


CHICAGO -- The Minnesota Vikings will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they visit the Chicago Bears on Monday night.


The way some Vikings players see it, last week's loss against the Philadelphia Eagles might have been exactly what the group needed to stay sharp going forward.


"No one likes to lose, but at the same time, we can be helped by it," Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "You can learn from it."


However, rest assured that nobody on the Vikings wants to learn from back-to-back losses.


The Vikings (5-1) are the road favorites against the struggling Bears (1-6), who have dropped three consecutive games and are tied for the second-worst record in the NFL. Minnesota has won three consecutive games against Chicago and five of the past seven meetings.


The prime-time matchup on Halloween night will feature a Vikings defense that is -- ahem -- scary. Coach Mike Zimmer's crew is No. 1 in the NFL with 16 takeaways, including nine interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. Minnesota also leads the NFL in turnover ratio (plus-11) and total defense (279.5 yards per game), and it is tied for No. 1 in scoring defense (14 points allowed per game).


Only one team in the league has four players with three-plus sacks this season. Care to guess? Here's a hint: They wear purple. Vikings defensive linemen Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison have registered four sacks apiece, while Linval Joseph has three sacks.


All of that spells a major challenge for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler as he returns to action for the first time in six games. Cutler has been sidelined since Week 2, when he sprained ligaments in his right thumb. He healed in time to reclaim his starting job from Brian Hoyer, who broke his left arm last week against Green Bay and has been placed on injured reserve.


This week, reporters asked Cutler whether he felt as if he had the support of coach John Fox.


"Um, he doesn't have a choice, I guess, at this point," Cutler told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Brian's out, so I've got to go. I've had good conversations with Foxy this week, last week, the week before. There's never been any strain in our relationship. We're both very open and honest, and we're on the same page. We just want to win football games."


To do so, the Bears might want to look for Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the red zone. Jeffery remains without a touchdown reception through his first seven games. Perhaps that helps to explain how Chicago is ranked last in scoring with 15.9 points per game.


Bears running back Jeremy Langford could return from a sprained ankle that has kept him out for the past four games. If Langford is able to play, he likely would join a backfield committee that includes Ka'Deem Carey and Jordan Howard.


Although the Vikings defense appears to have a decisive edge against the Bears offense, the same does not hold true on the opposite side of the ball. Minnesota is No. 31 in total offense with 299.2 yards per game, and Chicago is No. 12 in total defense with 350.4 yards allowed per game.


Bears linebacker Willie Young has provided consistent bursts of energy as a pass rusher in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Young has posted multiple-sack performances in two of his past three games.


Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was nearly flawless to start the season, but he struggled against the Eagles a week ago. The former No. 1 overall draft choice threw his first interception in six games and committed four fumbles, two of which resulted in turnovers.


Bradford's top target has been wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 27 receptions for 390 yards and a touchdown. Diggs will try to regroup after catching two passes for 18 yards against the Eagles.


On the ground, look for Vikings running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon to split carries. Both will run behind a revamped offensive line that returned only one starter (center Joe Berger) at the same spot as in 2015.


Zimmer said he believed the Vikings and, in particular, the offensive line, could get back on track after a dismal performance in Week 7.


"I do have faith in this football team," Zimmer said. "Obviously, faith is belief without proof. So, right now, I don't have any proof, so I have to have faith that we'll get it done and I think we will. But until we prove it, it's just throwing stuff against the wall."

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

NFL Week 8 Essentials
By Tony Mejia


Monday, Oct. 31


Minnesota at Chicago: After three straight nights in the spotlight hosting the World Series, the Windy City will be on center stage once more thanks to this Monday night game, and as with the goings-on in Wrigley, you need to be aware of what Mother Nature is up to before picking aside, particularly on the total. Wind gusts should affect this contest, which sees the Vikings looking to avoid consecutive losses after faltering against the Eagles. Mike Zimmer, who has only had one losing streak of two games since taking the Minnesota gig, called out his offensive line for awful play in Philadelphia and is counting on a better effort. Jerick McKinnon, who took over for Adrian Peterson and gives the Vikes offense a different look as an option QB, is questionable with an ankle injury, the same ailment afflicting key safety Andrew Sendejo. Jay Cutler (thumb) returns to the Bears lineup after missing a month of action and is 8-5 against Minnesota despite a three-game losing streak. He’s thrown 26 touchdowns, but has only beaten Zimmer once. He many have RB Jeremy Langford back from a significant ankle injury, so Chicago should have a decent combination in play with him and rookie Jordan Howard available, but that’s likely to depend on whether starters Jake Long and Josh Sitton are back up front. Both were brought on board to stabilize a shaky offensive line, a prerequisite for beating Minnesota.

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

Week 8 NFL


Monday Night


Vikings (5-1) @ Bears (1-6)— Trap game for Minnesota coming off first loss of year; they’re 2-1 on road, with wins at Tennessee (25-16), Carolina (22-10). Vikings had only 7 points in four trips to red zone in Philly, a red flag; they’re 3-2 as road favorites under Zimmer, 1-1 this year. Chicago lost last three games by 6-1-16 points, losing last home game 17-16 to Jaguars when they led 13-0 in 4th quarter. Bears are 3-10 in last 13 games as a home underdog, 1-0 this season. Home side won seven of last eight Viking-Bear games, with Minnesota 5-2 in last seven. Vikings’ 23-20 win here LY was their first win in last eight visits to Windy City. NFL-wide, home underdogs are 10-2 vs spread in divisional games. Under is 5-1 in Viking games, 4-2-1 in Chicago games.

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

Tech Trends - Week 8
By Bruce Marshall


Monday, Oct. 31


MINNESOTA at CHICAGO (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Bears on 2-9 spread skid, “over” 6-4-1 last 11. Vikes 19-4 last 23 vs. line!
Tech Edge: Vikings, based on team trends.

[TheGame]

Re: NFL Betting Info 10/31

StatFox Super Situations


NFL*|*MINNESOTA*at*CHICAGO
Play On - Favorites vs. the money line (MINNESOTA) mistake-free team (<=1.25 TO/game committed) against a team with <=1.25 TO/game forced, after a game where they forced 3 or more turnovers
45-7*over the last 10 seasons.**(*86.5%*|*0.0 units*)
2-1*this year.**(*66.7%*|*0.0 units*)


NFL*|*MINNESOTA*at*CHICAGO
Play On - Underdogs vs. the 1rst half line (CHICAGO) after having lost 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games against opponent after having won 3 out of their last 4 games
67-31*over the last 5 seasons.**(*68.4%*|*32.9 units*)
0-1*this year.**(*0.0%*|*-1.1 units*)