Posted on 10/13/2007 9:32:03 PM

NFL Football Betting: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

By Charles Jay

BetUS Football Betting Odds: Chicago -6 (Total 37.5)

The Chicago Bears, who rewarded their betting backers with a win last Sunday night, will look to make it two impressive performances in a row on Sunday when they play host to the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North game scheduled for 1 PM ET on the grass field at Soldier Field in Chicago. In the football betting odds on this game at BetUS, the Bears are listed at -6, with the over/under posted at 37.5 points.

Chicago comes into this contest with a record of 2-3 SU (straight-up) and 1-4 ATS (against the spread), and has played three overs in five games. Led by Brian Griese, who was looking to rebound after a dismal first start in Detroit, the Bears traveled to Green Bay and knocked off the previously-unbeaten Packers as a three-point underdog, winning by a 27-20 count. Chicago is sitting in third place in the NFC North, two games behind the Packers.

Minnesota is 1-3 SU and 1-1-2 ATS. The Vikings have played three unders in four games. They are coming off a bye week; previous to that, they lost to Green Bay by a score of 23-16 as a one-point home underdog. This week marks the probable return of starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD NFL betting trends:

* Chicago is 4-2-1 ATS in the last seven meetings

* Chicago is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings at home

* Chicago has won the last five meetings at Soldier Field SU

* Five of the last seven meetings in Chicago have gone under the total

In the last meeting, Chicago, a nine-point home favorite, barely covered with a 23-13 win, although Minnesota had 21 first downs in the game, compared to just six for the Bears. The Vikings were able to move the ball as they wanted on the ground as well, with 190 yards rushing.

Chicago's troubles have been well-documented. After three mistake-plagued games, starting quarterback Rex Grossman was benched by head coach Lovie Smith and replaced by Griese, the son of Hall of Famer Bob Griese. The veteran threw three interceptions in his first start at Detroit, but rebounded with 15 for 25 and 215 yards passing at Lambeau Field, tossing TD's to tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olson. Still, running back Cedric Benson has been a real disappointment, gaining just three yards a carry, and the Bears are giving up 345 yards of total offense a game. Also:

* Chicago has won 17 of its last 24 games SU

* Chicago is 1-6 ATS in its last seven home games

* Chicago is 15-5 SU in its last 20 at home

* Chicago has played 15 overs in its last 21 games

* Chicago has played 11 overs in its last 14 home games

Minnesota is land-locked, that's for sure. The running game is built around Adrian Peterson, who has run for 383 yards thus far and has a very impressive five yards an attempt. Vikings coach Brad Childress has been trying to take some of the burden off Peterson's shoulders, however, by starting Chester Taylor, the 1000-yard rusher from a year ago who has been hampered by a hip injury. In defending the run, Minnesota is the leagues best, as opponents have managed just 2.5 yards a carry and 62 rushing yards a game. Quarterback Jackson, who was out with a groin injury, is learning on the job, and has not been productive (53.6% completions, one TD, 5 INT's). Also:

* Minnesota has lost six of its last seven games SU

* Minnesota has lost six of its last seven road games SU

* Minnesota has played 15 unders in its last 21 road games

As far as totals betting is concerned, the trends indicate a standoff of sorts. But Chicago, the 6-point favorite, seems to have the head-to-head edge.

Week 6 NFL Odds Podcast:

The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)