The final Monday Night Football double header of the season comes at us in Week 15. With only one month of regular season football remaining, the rubber is well and truly meeting the road, with teams fighting for playoff positions, or tanking for draft capital. Both these games will have playoff implications, and both will have a huge bearing on draft position. Plenty to look forward to then, as we close out week 15. Catch our best bets for both games below!
NFL 2024-25: Week 15 MNF Double Header
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears
U.S. Bank Stadium, Tuesday 17th November, 12:00pm (AEDT)
The Bears and Vikings met just three weeks ago in week 12, with the Vikings closing 3-point road favourites, with the total closing 39.5. The Vikings were the far superior team through three quarters, leading 24-10. The Vikings were attacking inside the Bears half early in the fourth, when they decided to go for it on 4th and 1. They failed, and the Bears managed to score on their next drive. A late Vikings field goal with 2 minutes left made the score 27-16. A touchdown and 2-point conversion with 22 seconds left gave the Bears a chance at an onside kick, which they converted. The game went to overtime, with the Vikings squeaking by 30-27.
The Vikings opened 5.5-point favourites on the lookahead for this game, before re-opening as a full 7-point favourite. The number has stayed here most of the week, with the money at 7 favouring the Bears. It might close 6.5, but I would imagine Vikings money would push any move back to 7. I make the Vikings a 6-point favourite but do not trust the Bears right now to cover the spread.
As for the total, it opened 42.5, before being bumped up to 43.5 at re-open, where it has stayed all week. My fair total is 44.5, which is on the other side of the key total of 44. It’s only a small edge, and I’m not confident in the Bears producing after their performance last week, so will concentrate on the Vikings to cover their team total.
For a prop, let’s go with Jordan Addison to go over his yardage. Addison went for 162 yards three weeks ago against this Bears defence, which has regressed even further since. Addison should smash again this week.
Prop Bet:
Jordan Addison (over) 51.5 receiving yards – $1.88 at Dabble (1u)
Vikings (team total) over 25.5
$1.95 (2 Units)
Las Vegas Raiders vs Atlanta Falcons
Allegiant Stadium, Tuesday 17th November, 12:30pm (AEDT)
The Raiders and Falcons last played in week 12 of the 2020 NFL season. The Falcons won 43-6, and I take absolutely nothing from this result.
The Falcons opened 3-point favourites on the lookahead, before the Raiders lost quarterback Aidan O’Connell in week 14. As a result, the Falcons re-opened 4-point favourites, where it stayed until Saturday, when All Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby was placed on IR and ruled out for the remainder of the season. The number has now jumped to Falcons -5.5, with O’Connell listed as questionable. He hasn’t practiced all week, and with the Raiders closing in on tank-mode, I don’t expect them to risk him in this game.
I make the spread 5.5 but would lean towards the Falcons covering. I don’t really trust the Falcons, and obviously would have preferred them at -3 or -4, but that number is no longer available. I’ll trust that O’Connell will not play, and the Falcons are good enough, particularly in a must win spot, to get the job done here over the Raiders.
The total opened 44.5, before re-opening at 42.5. It has been bet back up to 44.5, which I fully agree with. I make a fair total 45, so I don’t see any real value left in the total, but I would lean towards the over.
For a prop, I’ll take Falcons slot receiver Ray Ray McLeod to go over his yardage prop. McLeod has been on fire the last two weeks, and with the Raiders’ struggles against slot receivers well documented, I’ll take him to easily cover the 37.5.
Prop Bet:
Ray Ray McLeod (over) 37.5 receiving yards – $2.00 at Bet365 (1u)
Falcons -5.5
$1.93 (1 Unit)
