PFF breaks down Week 15’s Monday Evening Soccer doubleheader by reviewing the groups’ data, key developments and sport overviews earlier than delivering the perfect wager backed by PFF’s trusted betting mannequin.
Recreation Overview
The race for the NFC North title is heating up, with the Vikings in shut pursuit of the Lions, who at present lead each the division and the NFC total.
Minnesota has been on a tear, profitable six straight video games and remaining undefeated because the begin of November. Nevertheless, in betting markets, their efficiency has been much less spectacular, with a 3-2-1 document towards the unfold (ATS) throughout that stretch. That is largely as a result of oddsmakers adjusting expectations, forcing the Vikings to cowl bigger spreads. Consequently, they maintain a modest 5-4-1 ATS document as favorites this season.
Conversely, the Bears proceed to slip, now aiming to search out any momentum to construct on for subsequent season. Chicago has misplaced seven straight video games and stays winless because the Week 7 bye. Although they confirmed enchancment in November with a 2-0-1 document towards the unfold (ATS) to shut out the month, they’ve stumbled in December, most just lately struggling a blowout loss to San Francisco.
This matchup will likely be pivotal for the Vikings. A loss to the struggling Bears might derail their hopes of attaining the near-impossible feat of capturing the NFC crown. So, Minnesota can’t afford to miss Chicago.
QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: Over 21.5 Completions (+102)
The Vikings’ success in 2024 is essentially because of the resurgence of Sam Darnold main the offense. His current stretch of stellar performances has propelled him into the highest 5 in PFF passing grade for the season, with a league-leading 92.3 passing grade since Week 11.
Darnold thrives in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, displaying top-tier accuracy whereas protecting defenses sincere with well-timed deep pictures. He owns a 75.1% adjusted completion share this season, excelling on quick passes. On throws of 9 yards or shorter, Darnold leads the NFL with a 90.8% adjusted completion share, demonstrating exact management and effectivity.
Recreation Overview
The second matchup could lack star energy, however it holds actual significance for the Falcons’ postseason hopes.
Atlanta has gone from main the NFC South to combating for survival after dropping 4 straight video games. Regardless of being underdogs in three of these losses, the Falcons have did not cowl the unfold in every matchup since Week 9, leaving them with a disappointing 5-8 document towards the unfold (ATS). The final time Atlanta was favored on the highway was in Week 10 towards New Orleans, the place they have been 3.5-point favorites however fell 20-17.
In the meantime, the Raiders have proven little battle this season and are at present on a nine-game dropping streak, with their final victory coming in September. At the same time as a large underdog for many weeks, Vegas has gone simply 1-4 ATS because the begin of November regardless of being given 5 or extra factors in every matchup.
RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: Over 17.5 Carries (-115)
With Kirk Cousins‘ effectiveness beneath middle more and more in query, the operating sport has been carrying the load for the Falcons’ offense. A lot of that credit score goes to the constant dominance of Bijan Robinson, who holds a top-three PFF speeding grade (90.9) amongst operating backs this season.
Robinson has seen the form of quantity you’d anticipate from a top-tier again, rating seventh within the NFL with 215 carries. Over his final 5 video games, he has surpassed 17.5 carries in 4 of them. This manufacturing comes regardless of Tyler Allgeier sharing the workload, logging 17 carries during the last two video games in comparison with Robinson’s 48 carries in that span.
