General

NFL Week 15 predictions and best bets for MNF Bears vs. Vikings, Falcons vs. Raiders

Posted on by admin

We have a special Monday Night Football doubleheader to wrap up Week 15 of the regular season as the Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears on ABC, while the Atlanta Falcons travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders later on tonight on ESPN.

The action starts at 8 PM EST where the Vikings are favored by 6.5 to 7 points depending on the sportsbook. The over/under for the game can be found between 44 and 44.5 points. A half an hour after that game starts, the second will begin. Oddsmakers favor the Falcons as 5.5-point favorites. The over/under point total ahead of the action is 44.5 across all major sportsbooks.

MNF Bears vs. Vikings & Falcons vs. Raiders predictions and best bets

The Bears’ run defense allows the third-most yards per game to running backs, and they’ve been steadily falling down the ranks since firing Matt Eberflus. With Aaron Jones going over 100 yards in the Week 12 matchup, this line is too low for a game that could easily get out of hand early.

Keenan Allen dominated the Vikings in their Week 12 showdown. With nine catches for 86 yards, it’s hard to believe the Bears won’t incorporate getting the veteran pass catcher involved again tonight. These are great odds for Allen to record merely half his Week 12 output against a secondary that allows more receptions per game than any other defense. Give me Keenan Allen at this total all day.

Kirk Cousins has been struggling lately, but he should get plenty of opportunities to throw tonight. Against a Raiders defense that’s allowed over 270 yards to the past four quarterbacks they’ve played, the opportunity will be there to succeed.

With a projected pass attempts total set at 32.5, Cousins has notched this completions total in five of his six games with that many attempts. Three of those came in his last four games played. In a desperate attempt to restore confidence, expect the Falcons to try to find their rhythm through the air and Cousins to notch this total as a result.

The Raiders offense has relied on two players all season, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. The receiver has tallied six or more catches in six of his last seven games. Against a Falcons secondary that allows the third-most receptions to wide receivers per game, this should be another high total day for number 16.

Bears vs. Vikings moneyline odds analysis

Why Vikings could win as the favorite

Best odds: -325 at Fanatics

With an 11-2 record and a chance to tie the Detroit Lions at the top of the division, the Vikings enter Monday night with plenty of pressure to win. The Vikings’ offense has been on a roll lately. Sam Darnold is coming off a five-touchdown performance against the Falcons, while the defense is creating chaos.

The offense is poised to produce against the Chicago Bears. Despite a strong start to the season, the Bears’ defense has regressed lately, especially in terms of stopping the run. Additionally, Chicago failed to slow down Darnold in Week 12, as the quarterback threw for 330 yards in the 30-27 victory.

Having a home-field advantage in primetime against an opponent you’ve already beaten is quite the advantage for the Vikings. With the postseason getting close and playoff seeding up in the air, expect Minnesota to be locked in tonight.

Why Bears could win as the underdog

Best odds: +275 at DraftKings

Following an embarrassing 38-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, this Bears squad will feel pressure to bounce back. This season has started to snowball, but the roster remains plenty capable. Let’s not forget the Bears took the Vikings to OT three weeks ago.

A key part of that success came from Caleb Williams’s dominance as a passer. He efficiently spread the football around to his four key playmakers and handled pressure well in the pocket. That type of resurgence is needed from Williams to finish out the last stretch of the season strong.

We’ve seen flashes from the Bears thanks to weapons like D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and Rome Odunze, minor hiccups have held the offense back week after week. Could the Bears finally end a seven-game skid and grab a signature win in their second go-around with the Vikings. We’ll find out tonight.

Falcons vs. Raiders moneyline odds analysis

Why Falcons could win as the favorite

Best odds: -250 at BetMGM

At one point, the Falcons were 6-3 and looked like they were bound for the playoffs. Now, four losses later, they desperately need a victory.

Tonight’s game is a must-win for Atlanta, and head coach Raheem Morris has even admitted to it. While a loss to the Raiders wouldn’t entirely eliminate them from playoff contention, the damage of five straight losses would be detrimental to the locker room’s morale and team confidence.

Luckily, the Falcons face a 2-11 Raiders team decimated by injuries. Still, the Falcons must remain focused and play to their capabilities. Too often, they’ve suffered from self-inflicted wounds – mainly turnovers. Atlanta must win the turnover battle against a Las Vegas team that has the worst turnover differential in the league.

Why Raiders could win as the underdog

Best odds: +220 at DraftKings

Who doesn’t love some revenge? With injuries to Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, the Las Vegas Raiders will turn to Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback. The 25-year-old spent his first two seasons with the Falcons before being traded this past offseason.

Aside from narrative, the Raiders do have some potential against a shaky Atlanta squad. Losers of four straight, the the Falcons are desperate to secure a victory, and desperation can create issues.

The Raiders must find ways to stay on the field and control the football. With Ridder under center and tailback Sincere McCormick taking a majority of the workload, this feat will be one many don’t expect. However, Vegas has shown flashes in recent weeks.

Last weekend, despite losing to Tampa Bay, the Las Vegas secondary had two interceptions and four sacks. Even with DE Maxx Crosby done for the year, there are playmakers on the defense. If the team can pressure Cousins and force mistakes, they could help pull out a victory tonight.