![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/24842670.jpg\")
Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his receiving touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe Chicago Bears didn’t get much of a bounce from interim coach Thomas Brown. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Brown replaced the fired Matt Eberflus the day after Thanksgiving but instead of a spark, the Bears went to San Francisco and got pummeled by the 49ers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Minnesota (11-2) welcomes Chicago as the Bears’ losing streak stands at seven games entering Monday night’s divisional matchup against the red-hot Vikings.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n A six-game winning streak has the Vikings on the heels of the Eagles and Lions in the race for NFC homefield. Minnesota is in the playoffs, clinching a spot with the Seahawks’ loss on Sunday night. Most recently, the Vikings racked up 42 points at home against Atlanta in Week 14. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n There aren’t too many venues that can get louder than the U.S. Bank Stadium when the Vikings are playing well. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Look for Minnesota to jump out to a fast start against a Bears team with a first-year quarterback and a coaching staff that’s clearly in a state of flux at this point of the year.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –It’s the coaching, stupid<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bears’ decision to fire a head coach in midseason for the first time in franchise history indicates just how dire matters had become at Halas Hall.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Eberflus left them with no choice after his in-game blunder against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, which was laid bare for the whole world to see.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n With 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Chicago trailing 23-20 on Detroit’s 41-yard line, Eberflus opted not to call a timeout on third down following a sack to his quarterback Caleb Williams. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Instead, the Bears wasted 30 seconds trying to get organized at the line of scrimmage, throwing an incomplete pass as time expired. Thus, they were unable to attempt a game-tying 58-yard field goal.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After the game, Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen seemed to not so subtly blame the coaching staff directly, telling reporters, “We did enough as players to win this game.” <\/p>\n<\/section>\n In other words, the players were the ones who held up their end of the bargain.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Unfortunately, the debacle against the Lions was just another example of Eberflus being completely beyond his depth as a head coach this season. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Two weeks before the loss to the Lions, the Bears had a chance for a game-winning field goal against the Packers, but instead of running another play to make the kick shorter, Eberflus ran 27 seconds off the clock only for Green Bay to block a 46-yarder.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Prop pick: Vikings pass-catchers<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jordan Addison lit up the Chicago secondary in the first meeting Nov. 24 with eight catches for 162 yards and a touchdown and then went for 8-133-3 against the Falcons last week. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bears might shake things up with Eberflus no longer calling defensive shots, but Chicago sits in the same pick-your-poison predicament with Justin Jefferson opposite Addison. Tight end T.J. Hockenson also had seven receptions against the Bears last month and had 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in two games in this matchup last season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Quarterback Sam Darnold spreads the wealth in this one with Jefferson and Addison recording six receptions apiece and Addison over 60 yards. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Prop: Two bets parlayed: Addison six-plus receptions, Addison 60-plus receiving yards (+248 FanDuel)<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Bears’ coaches are ill-prepared<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Before the Bears canned Eberflus, he fired his offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. Last season, he fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Thomas Brown, who took over for Waldron as coordinator, is now the interim head coach.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n While the Bears’ performance on the field certainly warranted some change, this revolving door of coordinators and head coaches isn’t particularly beneficial for their rookie quarterback.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n There are legitimate concerns about their coaching staff’s ability to prepare midweek and devise a plan in the early stages of a game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Of all 32 teams, the Bears average the third-fewest points in the first half, 7.4, and when they’re on the road, that average drops to 4.7.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Given their coaching carousel and staff members being elevated into new positions to fill a void, one can only wonder if there’s a lack of quality due to inexperience.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n And with the Bears yet to cover the first-half spread in all six road games this season, it’s difficult to see them turning the tide on Monday night against a quality Vikings team. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Best bet: Vikings 1H -3.5 (-115 DraftKings)<\/p>\n<\/section>\n