Admin December 16, 2024
Eagles look like team to beat in NFC, Bills beat Lions in potential SB preview
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the top storylines from Week 15 in the NFL.
Sports Seriously
The Minnesota Vikings (11-2) meet the Chicago Bears (4-9) on “Monday Night Football” in Week 15. Of course, both teams have surprised in their own way.
The NFC North has been, somewhat surprisingly, one of the most competitive divisions in football in 2024. While the Detroit Lions have a step on the Vikings, Minnesota is still in the division race, thanks in no small part to Sam Darnold.
The quarterback has gone from highly touted prospect to journeyman backup and back to starter this year. Entering Week 15, Darnold was tied for third in the NFL in touchdown passes with 28, helping the Vikings overcome the loss of first-round pick quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the preseason.
Unfortunately for the Bears and Caleb Williams, there hasn’t been as much to celebrate in 2024. While Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, the Bears organization has faced turmoil, leading to the ousting of head coach Matt Eberflus on Black Friday.
Now, the Bears have an opportunity to play spoiler for an NFC North rival while the Vikings look to keep stride with the roaring Lions en route to the NFL playoffs.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Week 15 “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Vikings and Bears below.
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- Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The Vikings vs. Bears “Monday Night Football” matchup will kick off at 8 p.m. ET. It’s the first of two “MNF” games in Week 15, leading to the earlier-than-usual start time for the matchup.
The Vikings vs. Bears “MNF” matchup will air on ABC. Joe Buck (play-by-play) will be alongside longtime broadcast partner Troy Aikman (color commentary).
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports team feels the Vikings-Bears game will go:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Vikings 28, Bears 13
- Tyler Dragon: Vikings 28, Bears 20
- Richard Morin: Vikings 30, Bears 20
- Jordan Mendoza: Vikings 30, Bears 20
- Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+
Cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.
ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game.
Stream the “Monday Night Football” game on Fubo
- CB Stephon Gilmore
- QB Brett Rypien
- DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
- C Dan Feeney
- OT Walter Rouse
- RB Roschon Johnson
- LB Noah Sewell
- OL Ryan Bates
- DB Ameer Speed
- OL Braxton Jones
- DL Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Vikings are favorites to defeat the Bears, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Vikings (-7)
- Moneyline: Vikings (-350); Bears (+280)
- Over/under: 43.5
The Bears travel to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to take on their NFC North rivals. U.S. Bank Stadium has been the Vikings’ home since 2016.
U.S. Bank Stadium was the host of Super Bowl 52, which the Philadelphia Eagles won against the New England Patriots.
➤ Ranking NFL’s stadiums from 1 to 30: Where does Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium rate?
U.S. Bank Stadium is an indoor facility, so the weather forecast in Minneapolis will not impact the game. Outside of the stadium, game time temperatures are in the low-30s, according to AccuWeather.
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
The Bears and Vikings have combined for just one Super Bowl victory.
The Vikings have made four Super Bowl appearances, but have yet to win a Lombardi Trophy. Minnesota’s last Super Bowl appearance came in Super Bowl XI during the 1976 season.
The Bears have made two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XX during the 1985 season. Chicago’s last Super Bowl appearance came in Super Bowl XLI during the 2006 season. The Bears, however, own nine total NFL championships, which is second all-time to the Green Bay Packers (13).
NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:
➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game
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➤ Best (and worst) from NFL Week 15: Lions loss opens door for Eagles, Vikings
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