The final Monday Night Football doubleheader of the season is here.
Four teams officially close week 15 of the regular season on Monday. First, the Minnesota Vikings will host the Chicago Bears in an NFC North battle that could be hugely important for the Vikings in the playoff race.
The Vikings officially clinched a postseason berth on Sunday, although they trail the Detroit Lions in the division. However, the Lions are dealing with numerous injuries that seem to keep coming, which could open the door for the Vikings to pounce and host a first-round matchup if they can win and overtake them. The Bears, on the other hand, are already eliminated from postseason contention.
In the second game, the Las Vegas Raiders will host the Atlanta Falcons. The Raiders have also already been eliminated from the playoffs and are battling the New York Giants for the No. 1 overall draft pick. If they lose on Monday night, they regain that spot.
Meanwhile, the Falcons are trying to snap a four-game losing skid. They have fallen to 6-7 and fallen behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race. A win on Monday would be a big step forward in their bid to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, although they’ll need a much better Kirk Cousins to do so. The veteran has thrown eight interceptions during their losing skid, including six in the last two weeks.
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
When: 8:00 PM ET
Where: US Bank Stadium | Minneapolis
Television: ABC
BetMGM lines: Minnesota -7, O/U 43.5
Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders
When: 8:30 PM ET
Where: Allegiant Stadium | Vegas
TV: ESPN
BetMGM lines: Atlanta -6, O/U 44.5
Live8 updates
Bears-Vikings: Minnesota takes 3-0 lead
After the Bears turn it over on downs, the Vikings take over. Sam Darnold throws two incompletions on a five-yard gain from Aaron Jones and has to settle for a field goal.
Will Reichard kicks a 52-yarder to give Minnesota a 3-0 lead.
Bears-Vikings: Chicago retired in 4th place
The Bears took the field first on a charge, reaching a 4th-and-1 at their 39. Chicago decided to go for it, but D’Andre Swift was stopped on a toss to the left.
Bears-Vikings: Honorary captains pay tribute to Randy Moss
Former Vikings receivers Jake Reed and Cris Carter are honorary captains for tonight’s coin toss. As they left the field, the duo held up a Randy Moss No. 84 jersey in tribute to their teammate.
Moss recently announced he is battling cancer and retired from his TV work for ESPN’s “Sunday Night Countdown.”
Bears-Vikings: Minnesota won the first meeting in Week 12
Tonight’s game is the second of the season between NFC North rivals. The Vikings won their first game in Week 12, 30-27, in overtime.
Minnesota had a 27-13 lead with 1:53 remaining in regulation. But Deandre Carter’s 55-yard kickoff return led the Bears to a touchdown (and 2-point conversion) with 22 seconds left. Chicago recovered an onside kick and Cairo Santos kicked the tying field goal as time expired.
The Bears won the coin toss in overtime, but went 3-and-out on their first possession. The Vikings took over and set up 10 plays before Parker Romo’s game-winning field goal.
Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns for Chicago, while Sam Darnold passed for 330 yards and 2 scores.
Desmond Ridder will become the third starting quarterback for the Raiders this season after injuries to Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. He has completed 28 of 44 passes for 239 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in four relief games.
Falcons inactives are in
There are no significant surprises among the Falcons’ inactives:
Aidan O’Connell inactive for Raiders; Desmond Ridder will start at QB vs. Falcons
Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell is officially inactive and listed as the third emergency quarterback against the Falcons, meaning Desmond Ridder will get the start. O’Connell suffered a left knee contusion last week and was considered doubtful ahead of Monday’s match.
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