Our Official Prediction for Bears at Vikings in Week 11
The folks at VikingsTerritory have hit a rough patch at predicting the outcomes of Vikings games, picking the purple team to lose at Detroit and win at home against Baltimore. The opposite occurred.
Our official prediction for Bears at Vikings in Week 11, breaking down the matchup, and predicting the outcome we expect in a pivotal NFC North clash.
But we’re back at it nevertheless, prognosticating Minnesota’s Week 11 date with the Chicago Bears. The Vikings have dominated the series as of late across all facets, but this time, Chicago has a 6-3 record, propped up by wins over bad opponents, while Kevin O’Connell and Co. are at 4-5.
Here’s Our Pick for Bears at Vikings
Writers get on the record with score predictions.
Score Forecasts from the Group
Almost everyone believes in Minnesota this week — the same way they did last weekend versus Baltimore. Maybe this time will be different.
Dustin Baker: MIN Wins, 24-21
Sean Borman: MIN Wins, 28-27
Janik Eckardt: MIN Wins, 24-21
Josh Frey: MIN Wins, 23-17
Henrique Gucciardi: MIN Wins, 27-24
Wesley Johnson: MIN Wins, 26-24
Kyle Joudry: MIN Wins, 24-21
Adam New: CHI Wins, 23-20
Tony Schultz: MIN Wins, 30-10
Ted Schwerzler: MIN Wins, 24-17
Ali Siddiqui: MIN Wins, 23-17
Cole Smith: MIN Wins, 28-24
Ted Schwerzler was the only writer to pick the Ravens last week, choosing Lamar Jackson and friends to prevail by three. The Ravens won by eight.
Season-Long Standings
This year hasn’t been a cakewalk, but here’s a gander at our win-loss standings per person.
Kyle Joudry: 5-4
Sean Borman: 5-4
Janik Eckardt: 5-4
Adam New: 5-4
Ted Schwerzler: 5-4
Ali Siddiqui: 5-4
Dustin Baker: 4-5
Henrique Gucciardi: 4-5
Cole Smith: 4-5
Josh Frey: 3-6
Tony Schultz: 3-6
Wes Johnson: 3-6
In years past, at least one VT contributor was around 7-2 at this point on the calendar. No cigar this go-round with these tricky-to-predict Vikings.
Our Formal Score Prediction
With one holdout, our friend Adam New from England, we expect Minnesota to defeat Chicago, albeit narrowly. Our collective score prediction is Minnesota 24-20 over Chicago.
The Bears have beaten the Vikings just once in their nine attempts, an unusual cold streak against Minnesota. Throughout the rivalry’s history, there haven’t been many stretches of utter dominance like the current one in favor of the purple team.
Chicago is also gunning for its first playoff berth in five years. Beating Minnesota would put Chicago in the driver’s seat for a Wildcard playoff berth and come close to eliminating Minnesota.
Picks from Others
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz chose Minnesota with a score of 26-24 and opined, “J.J. McCarthy has never lost a game against a divisional opponent. He’s also never won a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. One of those (tiny sample-size) trends is going to end on Sunday, and I think it’ll be the latter.”
“The Bears’ 6-3 record, -8 point differential, and +14 turnover margin all scream regression to the mean. Back in his NFL debut, McCarthy threw a pick-six while in field goal range and still managed to lead a comeback win over Chicago at Soldier Field. He’s now slightly more experienced, playing at home, and gets to throw to Jordan Addison, who was suspended for the first meeting between these teams.”
Chicago has not defeated a single good team in 2025 in its six wins.
“McCarthy’s early struggles with basic footwork and accuracy worry me, as does the absence of Jonathan Greenard, the Vikings’ top pass rusher. That’s why I think this will be close. But I also think the Vikings have slight advantages over the Bears in terms of overall roster talent and coaching,” Ragatz added.
“They’re due for a home win, and at least so far, McCarthy has stepped up and delivered when his team has needed it most against division rivals. Will Reichard’s fourth field goal will be the game-winner on Sunday.”
Sporting News‘ Bill Bender rolled with Minnesota (28-23), as well, and explained, “The Bears have pulled out dramatic fourth-quarter victories each of the last two weeks with Caleb Williams. Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy led a dramatic comeback against Chicago in Week 1 – but he has a 50.7% completion percentage in his last two starts. The Vikings make a stand late in desperation mode to stay afloat in the NFC North.”
Oddsmakers favor Minnesota by 3.5 points.
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