NFL Week 17 predictions: Bears at Vikings

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Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph celebrates a touchdown against the Bears by playing “duck duck goose.”

The Chicago Sun-Times’ experts offer their predictions for the Bears’ season finale against the Vikings in Week 17:

RICK MORRISSEY

Vikings, 27-13:  The Bears send John Fox out with a loss, which is both appropriate and better for next year’s draft position. All they want is an improved Mitch Trubisky during the game and a healthy, upright Trubisky by the end of it. Season: 8-7.

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RICK TELANDER

Bears, 22-21: This seems like the kind of meaningless game (for them) the Bears like to win. Why not? A victory screws up their draft order, gives fans false hope, continues the joke that is McCaskey Ball. So, sure, Bears win a Barcalounger ”thriller.”  Season: 6-9.

ADAM L. JAHNS

Vikings, 24-17: Trubisky should go out on a high note with a good game against the Vikings, but it won’t be enough to win or miraculously save Fox’s job. The Vikings are playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Season: 9-6.

PATRICK FINLEY

Vikings, 28-12. The Bears, who are 12-point underdogs, have only faced a larger point spread twice in the Fox era. They failed to cover both times. The Vikings have something to play for. The Bears do not. 7-8.

MARK POTASH

Vikings, 24-14. The Bears will come up with a big effort in Fox’s likely finale. But the Vikings have something to play for — they still haven’t clinched a bye — so they won’t be coasting. Season: 7-8.

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