Sports Events to Look Forward to This Week: NBA Draft, ATP Finals, and Top 10 Clash in Columbus
Headline: Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Square Off in Pivotal NFC Matchup
The Minnesota Vikings, who have shown signs of resurgence with victories in consecutive weeks, are aiming for their third consecutive victory as they face the Chicago Bears on Monday. Dalvin Cook, the Vikings' running back, has been instrumental in their recent success, amassing 369 rushing yards and five touchdowns over the last two games.
The Bears, on the other hand, have struggled in their last three games, losing their winning streak and slipping to a 5-4 record. They enter Monday's matchup as consensus 3-point underdogs at Soldier Field. Chicago has managed to score 20 points or more in five of their nine games this season, indicating a potent offensive threat.
A win for the Vikings would put them back in playoff contention with seven games remaining. The total points in the game are expected to hover near 48, according to sports betting platforms, with a prop on the Bears' total points of over 20 having odds of -112 at FanDuel.
Meanwhile, in the world of tennis, the year-end ATP World Tour Finals are approaching, and Novak Djokovic is the tournament favorite at +150. He is followed closely by Rafael Nadal (+350) and Daniil Medvedev (+500). Nadal could play on Sunday for his first ATP Finals title, and he is tied with Federer for most career grand slams with 20 apiece.
In other sports news, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Tennessee Action 24/7 became the first digital platforms to go live in Tennessee just over two weeks ago. The Illinois Gaming Board will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. CST on Tuesday, but the exact sports betting operator topics on the agenda are not specified. New advertising restrictions for sports betting and other gambling were recently adopted in Illinois, aiming to curb problem gambling and protect vulnerable groups.
Lastly, the Tennessee Lottery's Board of Directors will meet at 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday for the first time since sports betting operators launched on Nov. 1. The Indiana Hoosiers, currently ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll, are decisive 20-point underdogs against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. The total points in the Ohio State vs. Indiana game are expected to hover near 65.
- Despite being 3-point underdogs, the Chicago Bears, with a potent offensive threat, aim to challenge the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming NFC matchup.
- For Vikings supporters, betting on their team to win could potentially offer a good payout, given their current standing in sports-betting odds.
- On the other hand, the Bears, as underdogs, offer appealing odds for those wagering on the underdog in the sports-betting market.
- In the world of professional tennis, while Novak Djokovic is the favorite for the year-end ATP World Tour Finals, there are still enticing odds for other players like Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev.
