Bears to Take Advantage of Under Strength Vikings

When the Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings in week 5 of the NFL season, the game is likely to be far from a classic. Both teams are struggling this season, and with Minnesota losing star rookie running back Dalvin Cook through injury in week 4, things look like being tough for them going forward. With both Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford out, the Vikings have relied on quarterback Case Keenum who has stepped in and had a small degree of success. The game is live on ESPN and over at Bovada Sports Betting you can bet before kick off and during the game using the excellent Bovada NFL In Play Betting platform.

The Bears have struggled to get going and are 1-3 so far, but this game gives them a great chance of adding to their sole victory. The running game has been very good for the Bears and if they are to win this game then that is where they are going to excel. Jordan Howard has over 300 yards already, with four touchdowns on top. Rookie Tarik Cohen has been electric from the backfield, giving the Bears a great passing option. He is their number one receiver despite being a running back. His 24 receptions have yielded 150 yards and one touchdown to go alongside the 180 yards he has run on the ground. This one-two punch could be as good as any in the league on their day.

With Dalvin Cook out of the game, I think Minnesota will try to throw the ball more than normal. That means additional targets for their top three receivers, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and tight end Kyle Rudolph. Those three are going to be busy and the key to the Vikings if they are to have any chance of picking up a road victory against the Bears.

I don't think this game is going to go down as a classic, with both teams struggling due to lack of form and injuries. The Bears have a slight advantage for me, being at home and also having a very good backfield pairing in Howards and Cohen. That makes them slight favourites for me and I expect to see them have too much in the tank for Minnesota to deal with. Should the Vikings have any chance of winning this then their three receivers are going to have to make some big plays in the absence of star running back Dalvin Cook.

It may not be the best game of the weekend, but I am backing the Bears to come out on top against the Vikings.