Before each game, our Vikings coverage team makes predictions graded on a 1-10 scale of difficulty. Leader at the end of the season covers the Christmas Eve game in Green Bay … and so does the loser.

Here's a look at tonight's Halloween battle between the Purple and Da Bears.

MATT VENSEL

Harrison Smith has yet to pick off a pass this season. But that will change tonight when the Pro Bowl safety gets his fourth career interception of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who otherwise will have another solid game against the Vikings. Vikes still win, though.

Degree of difficulty: -2. In fairness to Matt, he had to dress up like a banana to take his little feller to a Halloween party, and that was enough "thinking outside the box" for one weekend.

MARK CRAIG

No sacks allowed by Vikings, Cutler throws a pick-six, blah, blah, blah, Vikings win by 12.

Degree of difficulty: 3. In fairness to Mark, he had to make his prediction during a two-hour wait on the tarmac (is that still a word?) after landing at O'Hare … and he was in first class. What is the record for most Bud Lights in a two-hour period on an airplane by the way? BTW — his actual thought-provoking predictions for the weekend were here.

ANDREW KRAMMER

Sam Bradford bounces back from a rough outing to beat the Bears with three touchdown passes, including a 38-yard swing pass to fullback Zach Line behind a key block by receiver Stefon Diggs.

Degree of difficulty: 4. With that kind of detail, I can only guess that Andrew has spent tooooo much time in the film room and is seeing strange plays in his dreams.

JIM SOUHAN

The Vikings rarely play well at Soldier Field, and have had many fine offensive teams go to Chicago and slump, so there's no reason to expect a blowout. But the defense should be good enough to beat a bad Bears team. Matt Asiata scores two touchdowns and that's enough for a 23-10 victory.

Degree of difficulty: 3. As a newspaper person on deadline, I can honestly say — win or lose, makes no difference, just no overtime, baby. We need this game to end by 10:30!

CHIP SCOGGINS

(sent Sunday morning) … If I survive 12 hours in Wrigleyville before Game 5, I predict I'll cover a Vikings victory on Monday night.

Degree of difficulty: 6. Five points for just surviving 12 hours in Wrigleyville. Although … I haven't heard from Chip yet today, and usually he checks in first thing in the morning. Chip? Chipper???

MICHAEL RAND

With all of Chicago still talking about the Cubs and the World Series, nobody notices there happens to be a football game there as well. The Monday Night game is played in an empty Soldier Field, which basically acts as a football studio for ESPN. And yet Vikings guard Alex Boone STILL screams that people are being too loud when the Vikings are on offense. It doesn't matter, though, since the Bears are simply that bad. The Vikings win but don't satisfy anyone, taking it 17-13.

Degree of difficulty: 4. Rand turned 40 over the weekend, and is showing his newfound maturity today by wearing tortoise shell glasses and a cardigan, and smoking a Meerschaum pipe.