The Vikings (7-9) close out their 2021 season Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota hosts Chicago (6-10) in an NFC North clash. Kickoff is at noon (CT).
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game in Week 18:
Vikings 24, Bears 17 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
Kirk Cousins is back. And with Justin Fields hitting the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, Andy Dalton's in line to make another start. Minnesota has a dead team walking vibe that makes an ugly end possible, but its ceiling is so much higher than Chicago's on both sides of the ball. Just look at the teams' first matchup last month — perhaps the worst prime-time game of the season — and how the Vikings won despite their offense being at its poorest.
Vikings 28, Bears 21 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
This could be the last game for both coaches, as both have had bad seasons. The Vikings are the better team and they will have Kirk Cousins back off the COVID list. The Bears played well last week, but that was against the Giants. The Vikings will get the best of this one.
Vikings 31, Bears 24 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Bears have won two straight games while the Vikings went frigid against the Packers in Week 17. But as Chicago already has had some late, last highs for Matt Nagy, Minnesota needs to end on a good note at home for Mike Zimmer, just in case. The return of Kirk Cousins at QB should help that cause with Justin Fields still uncertain to play on the other side. Look for Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery to trade big rushing games with Justin Jefferson making the difference in the passing games.
Bears 24, Vikings 21 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk
Both of these teams are out of contention, but the Bears look like they're playing a little harder as they play out the string.
Vikings 24, Bears 21 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Mike Zimmer gets a win in what could be his last game with the Vikings.
Vikings 23, Bears 20 — Staff, Bleacher Report
Sunday's season finale between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears is a meaningless battle between two NFC North foes — and a game between two head coaches in Chicago's Matt Nagy and Minnesota's Mike Zimmer, who could be looking for work come the following day.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 68% — FiveThirtyEight.com
3 of 5 experts (three did not yet submit) pick the Vikings, CBS Sports
1 of 4 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
3 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
