Experts Picks, Week 5: Bears stand little chance against Vikings

The Chicago Bears haven’t had the kind of start to the 2022 season that inspires much confidence. Sure, they’re 2-2, but it’s an ugly .500 record.

The Bears have thrown for just 471 yards through four games, the fewest in the league. Their two touchdown passes are tied for last, as do their six total touchdowns on the season. Quarterback Justin Fields is running for his life, and even when he has time to throw, he looks raw and unpolished.

It’s combined to make the Bears something of a punchline in 2022. They’ve set offensive football back four decades, and the defense, while OK, hasn’t been nearly good enough to make up for the offense’s shortcomings.

Perhaps that’s why 98% of experts who’ve entered their pick for Week 5’s game against the Minnesota Vikings are picking the Bears to lose. The Vikings are 3-1 and have an offense that could conceivably outproduce the Bears’ 2022 season totals in one game. It will be a tough task for Fields and his cast of underwhelming offensive teammates to keep up with Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook.

The Vikings are a touchdown favorite at home. It’s a reasonable spread. In fact, it’s pretty favorable for the Bears. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the Vegas oddsmakers had Minnesota favored by two scores.

Perhaps this will be the week Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears break out. Maybe they have to be big underdogs to rise and produce like a modern-day offense. It’s likely wishful thinking, but as the old cliche goes, “that’s why they play the game.”