Inside The Vikings

Vikings-Bears Predictions, Picks: Which 1-4 Team Wins in Week 6?

Loser gets sole possession of last place in the NFC North.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings-Bears Predictions, Picks: Which 1-4 Team Wins in Week 6?
Vikings-Bears Predictions, Picks: Which 1-4 Team Wins in Week 6?

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Minnesota Vikings

Coming off another gut-wrenching loss last weekend, the Vikings now head to Chicago without their best player to take on a Bears team that is also 1-4. After a disastrous start, the Bears picked up their first win last week when they dropped 40 on the Commanders on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings will look to start division play with a road victory, and they'll have to do it without Justin Jefferson.

This feels like a swing game for the Vikings' season, much like the matchup with the Panthers two weeks ago. A win here would keep the team's fleeting playoff hopes alive. A loss would shift the conversation even more towards possible trades and finding a new quarterback in the 2024 draft.

The Vikings are slight favorites on the road. Who wins this one? Let's start with my prediction and then dive into some picks from national analysts.

Will's pick: Bears 24, Vikings 21

2023 record: 4-1

The Bears had a strong argument as the worst team in the NFL through four weeks — complete with a loss to the Broncos — but they seemed to take a real step forward in Week 5, especially when it comes to the connection between Justin Fields and DJ Moore. I think Chicago has some positive momentum heading into this game at Soldier Field. After losing Jefferson to IR for at least a month, the Vikings have the opposite of that. Everything we've seen from Minnesota this season suggests they'll fumble a couple times and find a way to lose a close one.

National predictions

NFL.com: 4 of 5 pickers take the Bears

Da Bears are back, baby! Justin Fields and Co. boast the league's No. 1 offense since the start of Week 4 (sample size, shmample size), with explosive plays fueling the unit's surprise turn: Chicago has the second most over the past two weeks (20), after tying for the fewest over their first three games (12). Can TD machine DJ Moore keep it going against a Brian Flores defense that has been one of the NFL's best at limiting the big play? Perhaps even more pressing: How will Minnesota overcome the loss of its top big-play threat? This one is tight throughout, with the Bears' depleted backfield unable to get going against the Vikings' formidable front. But Fields takes over, proving to the home crowd that his resurgence is no fluke. — Ali Bhanpuri

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Vikings 34, Bears 31

The Bears are coming off an impressive road victory last week against the Commanders, while the Vikings lost to the Chiefs at home. Both teams have defensive issues, which could make this fun to watch. Justin Fields has played much better lately as the Chicago offense has improved. But Minnesota can score — even without Justin Jefferson. This will be fun to watch, and the Vikings take it.

Mark Craig, Star Tribune: Bears 28, Vikings 20

The only way these turnovers and losses stop is for some sports writer to predict they will continue. Minnesota, you're welcome. 

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Bears 30, Vikings 25

Justin Jefferson went down with a non-contact injury, and the Vikings’ one-score luck has reversed this season. Kirk Cousins had led Minnesota to victories in his last three starts at Soldier Field, but Justin Fields is a hot quarterback all of a sudden – and has done a good job stopping the run in its last two games. Fields picks up his first career victory against Minnesota. It’s another step in the right direction. 

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Vikings 28, Bears 24

The Vikings may be without hamstrung top wide receiver Justin Jefferson, an absolute Bears killer. But they still have plenty of firepower around Kirk Cousins with T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn with whom to attack the Bears pass-rush less pass defense all over the field. Justin Fields will stay hot passing but the traditional running game is hurting and the Vikings should work to double-cover D.J. Moore and force him to throw elsewhere.

Bleacher Report Staff: Bears 24, Vikings 23

Mike Florio, PFT: Vikings 30, Bears 20

Chris Simms, PFT: Vikings 28, Bears 27

Seth Walder, ESPN: Vikings 34, Bears 20

Eric Moody, ESPN: Bears 28, Vikings 24

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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