The Vikings haven't won in Chicago since 2007, so making them a favorite in today's game comes with a risk. Vegas gives the Vikings a slight edge on what is supposed to be a warm, sunny afternoon. Here are this week's Bold Predictions.
Matt Vensel, Vikings beat writer
The Vikings have only picked off four passes through six games, but a date with Smoking Jay Cutler will result in a bump in that statistic. Cutler has actually been somewhat careful with the ball, turning it over once in each of his five starts. But the Vikings will fluster him into three interceptions, including a late pick-six that seals a Vikings victory.
Mark Craig, Vikings beat writer, On The NFL columnist
This feels like one of those bring-everyone-back-to-the-center NFL games. Unless your team has a healthy Hall of Fame quarterback or is so awful that you call it the Browns, generally that team falls when things look really good and rises when things look really bad. Things look really good for the Vikings right now, although if my math is correct, 50 percent of their wins did come against Detroit and Vince Lombardi's now-unemployed grandson. So the instinct is to predict a fall. However, we also have a longer term bring-everyone-back-to-the-center force at work in that the Bears haven't lost to the Vikings at Soldier Field since 2007. Hmm. Oh, what the heck. With two competing bring-everyone-back-to-the-center forces at work, I'm going to go with the better team and a coaching staff that's starting to prove it can win the games it's supposed to win. Adrian Peterson runs for 150 yards, Teddy Bridgewater has a turnover-free game, the game clocks actually operate from start to finish and the Vikings win by three.
Jim Souhan, columnist
The Vikings' inability to sack Cutler last year cost them. This year, their improved pass rush and in particular the blitz gets to Cutler. Turnovers and sacks are the difference in a 22-16 Vikings victory.
Chip Scoggins, columnist
