NFL Week 15 Monday betting tips and predictions: Vikings to secure playoff spot at Bears' expense

Where to watch 

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Sky Sports NFL, 1am Monday night

Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders
Sky Sports Mix, 1.30am Monday night

Best bets

Minnesota Vikings -7
2pts 19-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Las Vegas Raiders +4.5
1pt 10-11 BoyleSports

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings predictions

The Minnesota Vikings are on the march ahead of their Week 15 showdown against their NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears.

Kevin O’Connell’s team can secure their spot in the playoffs with another win, and they will be full of confidence, having won six games in a row to reach 11-2 for the season. One of those victories came in Week 12 as they beat the Bears 30-27 after overtime.

Minnesota have been clinical in recent weeks and shown plenty of heart, but there are still doubts about whether they can compete with some of the best teams in the NFL.

Their defeats have come against the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, who could both be playoff-bound, but they should have few issues overcoming the Bears.

Chicago have lost seven games in a row to fall to 4-9 this season, and numerous coaching changes have not had a positive impact yet.

The Bears could muster only 162 total yards of offence against the San Francisco 49ers in their 38-13 defeat last week, and motivation may be an issue with the playoffs now likely out of reach.

Minnesota have home advantage and would love to secure their playoff spot against their rivals, and they should have too much firepower across the board.

Verdict by Chris Farley

The lowdown

Venue US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Surface Artificial
Weather Cloudy, 9C
Vegas line Vikings -7
Points line 44

Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders predictions

Two struggling franchises will bring Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season to a close as the Las Vegas Raiders host the Atlanta Falcons.

The Raiders began the weekend tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-11 and they are in contention to earn next year’s first overall draft pick.

They are already condemned to finishing last in the AFC West, but the Falcons can still finish in the playoffs if they buck up their ideas.

Atlanta have lost four games in a row and quarterback Kirk Cousins has been in poor form.

The Raiders are a weak team, but they are not quitters. Antonio Pierce’s team have not stopped playing for their coach and they lost by only two points to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. 

While they lost 28-13 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were competitive until the fourth quarter, and if they can replicate that effort, they could prove too much for the Falcons. Running back Sincere McCormick has been improving of late, and he should do some damage against a Falcons defence that ranks in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed and yards per carry allowed.

Atlanta have lost their last two road games by a combined 80-27 and with Cousins not throwing a touchdown pass for four games, the Raiders will fancy their chances of covering the handicap.

Verdict by Andrew Wilsher

The lowdown

Venue Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Surface Grass
Weather Clear, 15C
Vegas line Falcons -4
Points line 44

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