Chicago (5-8) @ Minnesota (7-6) - Click Here to See Game Forecast
Minnesota is currently in the final playoff spot in the NFC as a result of its recent hot streak. The Vikings have won five straight games after starting out the year just 2-6. Rookie superstar Adrian Peterson will be looking to bounce back after the worst outing of his career. He rushed for just three yards on 14 carries against the Niners. Lucky for him (and his team) he gets to face the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Peterson ran for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 20 carries to guide his team to a win back in Week 6.

Behind the strong running of Peterson and Chester Taylor, Minnesota is winning nearly 75% of simulations. In addition, the Vikes are winning over 50% of simulations by 10 points or more. Peterson has a 38% chance of rushing for over 100 yards and is averaging close a score per simulation. Taylor has allowed Peterson to stay fresh by being an effective change of pace, and is forecasted to rush for 65 yards himself. The strong running attack allows inexperienced quarterback Tavaris Jackson to manage the game rather than trying to force things and attempt plays he cannot make.

Chicago has fallen flat on its face after reaching the Super Bowl a season ago. The Bears will now start its third quarterback of the year in the forgotten Kyle Orton. Orton, a product from Purdue, has not played since the final regular season game of 2005. He is projected to have 215 yards passing, but just 0.8 touchdowns against 1.0 interception. Predictably, his quarterback rating is not stellar at just over 70. The real problem for the Bears has been the complete inability to run. Former first round pick Cedric Benson has been a colossal bust, and the Chicago version of Adrian Peterson is not nearly as good as his Minnesota namesake. The Vikings have the best rush defense in the NFL thanks to tackles Kevin and Pat Williams giving up just 70 yards per contest. That should result in a long day for the Bears’ offense as Peterson (CHI) is rushing for under 60 yards per simulation.