The Chicago Bears are 2.5 point favorite to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field, which is another way of Vegas suggesting these teams are about even, with Chicago getting the slight edge at home.
Soldier Field has been a house of horrors for the Vikings, who are 3-15 since 2001 there.
That does not impress or concern Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer, who has guided two of those three wins in his four trips to the Windy City.
Asked what makes Soldier Field such a tough place to play, Zimmer said:
“I don’t know. That’s what everybody told me when I got here, and then we won some games. I guess if you turn the ball over and create some dumb penalties and do dumb things, it’s a tough place to play.”
After a pause, Zimmer added, “I think they’ve lost their last two at home.”
Indeed, the Eagles beat the Bears 16-15 in an NFC divisional playoff game, in which Chicago kicker Cody Parkey missed a 43-yarder to win with time expiring, a “double doink” that hit both an upright and the crossbar.
The Packers opened the 2019 NFL season with a 10-3 win over the Bears on Sep. 5. The Bears followed with a pair of road wins, including Monday night at Washington, 31-15.
Injury Update
Vikings right guard Josh Kline did not practice Wednesday after suffering a concussion recently. Zimmer did not know if he will be ready to play Sunday. If the former Patriots and Titans lineman is unable to go, Dakota Dozier will fill the spot. Dozier, and eight-year veteran with only five career starts, replaced Pat Elfein at left guard in Minnesota’s 21-16 loss at Green Bay, in which the Vikings had the lowest-rated pass protection out of all 32 NFL teams, according to Pro Football Focus.
Linebacker Anthony Barr returned to practice in a limited role on Wednesday. The Pro Bowler sat out Sunday’s win over Oakland with a strained groin.
Cornerback Mackenzie Alexander was limited (elbow).
