Stefon Diggs has emerged as one of the NFL’s most explosive players. (Getty)
Editor’s note: The odds below are courtesy of Heavy’s partners at OddsShark.
The Minnesota Vikings want to be taken seriously. Since a defeat in front of a national audience week one, they’ve battled back to change their first impression. But if they want to be contenders, they’ll have to do something they never do.
Win at Chicago.
In their annual visit to Soldier Field, the Vikings have just two victories since 2000. They haven’t won there since 2007. But this year can be different. This year, they have Stefon Diggs.
Diggs has risen out of relative obscurity to become the dominant threat on Minnesota’s offense. The Maryland product wasn’t even activated until Week 4, but already has eight catches over 20 yards and ranks third in the NFL with 108 receiving yards per game.
The Bears are slowly getting healthy, but it isn’t fast enough. Antrel Rolle is barely ready to come back from an ankle injury, and the Bears’ defense took a step back when pass-rusher Jeremiah Ratliffe was booted from the team facility. Jay Cutler is well rested from the bye to face a Vikings defense that complied seven sacks last week.
All those details had Minnesota opening as a 2.5-point favorite Sunday, but that number has moved back to the middle. According to OddsShark.com, most betting clients have this matchup as a Pick ‘Em. History says Chicago, but it’s Minnesota’s time in the NFC North.
The OddsShark Computer is projecting a 23.6 – 19.4 Chicago victory.