On the flip side, the drop-off from Burrow and his MVP-caliber play to Allen is going to be enormous. There’s just not much of a drop-off from a banged-up Baker Mayfield to a healthy Keenum at this point. Allen hasn’t taken a meaningful snap all season while Keenum actually played (and won) a whole game, so he should be a lot less rusty. This is their last home game in front of their fans, they just got embarrassed on national television, and the players may have been galvanized due to a spat with members of the local media. On the other hand, the Browns should be fired up for a few reasons. Cincy has made it very clear by resting Joe Burrow that they don’t care much about this game. The Bengals are coming off a thrilling shootout against the Chiefs in which they clinched the AFC North title, while the Browns suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Steelers last week. Nothing says Week 18 like backup quarterbacks starting! Brandon Allen will be under center for Cincy, while Case Keenum takes the reins for the Browns. This is an AFC North matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns in the final week of the regular season. Vikings -3.5 available at time of publishing. The Chicago offense has been tough to trust all season, and it’s tough to back them with a rookie QB on the road.

The Bears are just 3-5 SU and 3-5 against the spread on the road this season. Now the Vikings get Fields and the Bears at home, which bodes well for them. However, it wasn’t enough as the Vikings won 17-9 at Soldier Field. Fields posted decent numbers in that game, completing 26 of his 39 pass attempts for 285 yards and a touchdown. This would be his first start since December 20, when he also went up against Minnesota. On the other side, the Bears are expected to go with rookie Justin Fields. On the year, Cousins has passed for 3,971 yards, 30 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer announced this week that QB Kirk Cousins will return to the field after missing Week 17’s matchup against the Packers in the league’s health and safety protocols. Before that drama unfolds, these NFC North rivals will look to end their respective campaigns on a high note as they meet in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon.

Both have endured disappointing seasons in 2021-22, and both have a lot question marks hanging over them going into the offseason. This website is managed on a digital platform of the National Football League.The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings find themselves in similar situations.

Espn nfl expert picks