Bears-Vikings prop picks (01.01.12)

Kahlil Bell is inspired to have a big game against his one-time team, the Vikings.

Here is a look at hypothetical propositional wagers between the Bears and Vikings.

First team to score

Bears. It’s hard to pick a Bears team that has lost five straight games to score first on the road, but Minnesota is such a bad team that it’s even harder not to.

First Bears player to score

Robbie Gould. I’m not so sure the Bears will have much luck putting the ball in the end zone this week, so the safe bet is that Gould will put up the first points for them.

First Bears player to catch a pass

Roy Williams. The Bears didn’t attempt a pass until their seventh play last week and it was a ball to Williams. The aging veteran caught the most passes, too.

Bears player to catch most passes

Kahlil Bell. Bell should factor into the game plan in a big way again this week and that includes in the passing game.

More passing yards – Josh McCown or Christian Ponder

Josh McCown. McCown looked impressive in his first start with the Bears and did a nice job moving the ball through the air. Ponder has been cleared to start for the Vikings this week after suffering a head injury the previous week, but I’m not so sure we won’t see Joe Webb at some point.

More touchdown passes or interceptions by Josh McCown

Push. McCown finished with one touchdown and two interceptions last week, but one pick was a great athletic play by Clay Matthews and the other bounced off Earl Bennett’s hands. I think McCown has a steady performance in this one.

Josh McCown sacks

4. The Bears face a Vikings team ranked fourth in sacks featuring defensive end Jared Allen, who leads the league with 18.5 sacks.

More rushing yards – Bears or Vikings

Bears. With Adrian Peterson out of this matchup, the Bears should have the edge in the ground game. The combination of Bell and Armando Allen was a good one last week, not to mention McCown’s running ability helped the Bears rack up 199 net rushing yards.

Total rushing yards for Bears

135. I don’t see any reason the Bears can’t surpass 100 rushing yards this week. Minnesota has always had a good run defense but between a two-back attack and McCown’s scrambling ability, the Bears should have another good day on the ground.

Team to win the turnover battle

Bears. Call it a hunch or a gut feeling, but I feel the Bears defense will come up with a couple turnovers in this one and the offense will take care of the ball. Minnesota has a minus-three turnover ratio.

Total points scored

36. There should be a lot of field goal attempts in this one and only a few touchdowns.