MNF Underdog Props for Bears at Vikings

The first NFC North battle of Week 12 was won handily by the underdog, as the Packers maintained a two-score lead for more than 45 minutes of game time and won by seven as 8.5-point dogs in Detroit. The Lions’ lead in the division remains largely unchallenged this season, and Monday Night Football tonight provides a chance for the Vikings to carve into that deficit.

Minnesota is hosting Chicago as three-point favorites, where the total is 44.5. The Bears are coming off a loss to the Lions after they led by 12 with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter but blew the lead on the road in Justin Fields’ return. Fields was hurt during Chicago’s first game against Minnesota this season in a matchup the Bears lost by six at home.

The Vikings are 2-1 without Kirk Cousins this season and are on the verge of getting Justin Jefferson back from IR. According to the latest reports, that won’t be this week, which helps the Bears’ case for competing at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Last week’s props for Eagles-Chiefs finished 2-1 during a statement win for Philadelphia in Arrowhead Stadium. Our play on the under for Jerick McKinnon’s rushing and receiving yards was a winner when the third-down back saw only three touches, while Kevin Byard on the other side of the field led Philly with eight tackles to cash our bet on his over.

The loser among the bunch was Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker, who only reached five kicking points on a field goal and two extra points to fall short of his total.

That result was the continuation of a strong run for our plays since Week 7, with eight of our 12 best bets coming home during that time. This week’s handicaps and wagers are outlined next, courtesy of our partners at Underdog Fantasy.

Khalil Herbert UNDER 68.5 Rush+Rec Yards

Herbert made his return from an extended absence last week against Detroit, like Fields, but did not experience the same success as his quarterback. He rushed 16 times for 35 yards (2.2 ypc) and caught two of three targets for six yards when Fields had a chance to dump off the ball.

The Vikings’ defense trails only Chicago and New England in terms of rushing average allowed and has given up 221 yards on 58 carries over their last three games.

Minnesota allowed 162 yards rushing against Chicago in mid-October, but we’re not confident Herbert will be the one to rack up the yardage in only his second game back from injury.

T.J. Hockenson OVER 60.5 Receiving Yards

Hockenson has been a target machine in 2023 and is the only tight end with more than 100 passes thrown his way this season. He’s averaging 10.5 per week in the time that Jefferson has been out and has translated those opportunities into more than 80 yards per game as the Vikings have gotten hot and won five of six.

While the Bears are the second-best unit in the NFL in opponent rushing average this season, they are 29th against the pass and allow the ninth-most net yards per attempt in the league.

Hockenson will continue to be the focal point of Kevin O’Connell’s passing attack, and we like him to go well over 60 yards on Monday night.

Justin Fields OVER 0.5 Total Yards

The latest offering from Underdog features this perceived easy winner that we can add to our parlay for a nice boost. Fields’ actual total here is 253.5, for reference.