2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 17

Chicago Bears (5-10) at Minnesota Vikings (12-3)

The Minnesota Vikings are one of those teams folks continue to overlook. When the playoffs roll around, though, they’ll be wishing they hadn’t. They’ve lost only one of their last 11 games, and don’t figure to add another to that equation in Week 17.

Realistically, the Chicago Bears don’t stand a chance. Sure, they’ve put together some solid outings in 2017, but there’s no way rookie Mitchell Trubisky and one of the NFL’s worst offenses does much of anything against the best defense in the league. Just ask the Green Bay Packers what it’s like trying to move the ball against Minnesota’s top-ranked defense.

Even after a rough Week 16, I’m looking for Case Keenum to get back on track against the Bears. Their defense has been solid all year long, but can get beat if the blocking is solid. Although I don’t expect Keenum’s jersey to stay clean all game long, he’ll toss some touchdowns and gain some momentum heading into the postseason.

With this win, the Vikings secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. It’s a big victory for Minnesota, which not many critics saw being in this situation when the season began. Now it’s time for the rest of the playoff field to be put on notice.

Prediction: Vikings win 24-9