The Chicago Bears (7-8) will be visiting U.S. Bank Stadium to play their final football game of the 2019 season. The Minnesota Vikings (10-5) will play at least one more regardless of the outcome from today's game. Minnesota is 6-1 at home and Chicago is 3-4 on the road.

The Bears failed to make the playoffs after winning the NFC North last year. The Vikings are locked in the 6th seed for the playoffs. So with no playoff implications or seeding on the line, this is really a meaningless game.

But that's not how many people thought this game would be when looking at the schedule at the beginning of the season. For both teams, this game was supposed to have some kind of meaning. It was supposed to have a possible NFC North title on the line or playoff seeding position or even making the playoffs at all.

Nope, none of that.

And with none of those scenarios, it looks like Coach Zimmer will rest some of key players (Cousins, Barr) and others might see limited action (Diggs, Thielen, Rudolph).

Players with injuries make sense but one could argue that with what happened last week against Green Bay, the Vikings should at least play as many offensive starters as possible. One could also argue that it's not worth risking anymore injuries going into the playoffs.

Interesting thought: Sean Mannion will see his first major action this season and if he does well, it could create a QB controversy. Of course not with the team itself but I guarantee it will with a certain section of the fan base.

Here's how each team matches up today:

Vikings Offensive Ranks: #13 Total Offense, #7 Rushing, #20 Passing
Bears Offensive Ranks: #29 Total Offense, #29 Rushing, #26 Passing
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Vikings Defensive Ranks: #14 Total Defense, #14 Rushing, #16 Passing
Bears Defensive Ranks:  #8 Total Defense,  #6 Rushing,  #12 Passing
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Points per game: Vikings 388  / Bears 282
Points allowed per game: Vikings 259 / Bears 279

Last 5 games (Vikings)
12/23: Packers   L 23-10
12/15: @Chargers   W 39-10
12/8:  Lions    W 20-7
12/2: @Seahawks   L 37-30
11/17: Broncos   W 27-23

Last 5 games (Bears)
12/22: Kansas City   L 26-3
12/15: @Green Bay   L 21-13
12/5: Dallas   W 31-24
11/28: @Detroit   W 24-20
11/24: NYG   W 19-14

 

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Vikings Inactive/Injury Report: (Out) RB Dalvin Cook, LB Anthony Barr, LB Eric Kendricks, OT Rielly Reiff, OT Brian O'Neill, DT Shamar Stephens, RB Alexander Mattison  (Questionable) S Jayron Kearse, CB Mackensie Alexander

Bears Inactive/Injury Report: (Out) WR Taylor Gabriel, G Rashaad Coward, OT Bobby Massie, TE Bradley Sowell, DT Akiem Hicks, DT Eddie Goldman.

The Odds: Bears favored by 3.5 and the Over/Under is 36

Kickoff: 12 PM
TV: FOX
Radio: 1240 AM & 95.3 FM WJON.

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