The Minnesota Vikings bounced back in a big way from a devastating loss to the Lions two weeks ago, defeating the Steelers 36-28. They didn’t make it easy on themselves, nearly losing a 29-0 lead, but in the end they were able to secure the win. Now, at 6-7, even with losses to the Lions and Cooper Rush-led Cowboys, the Vikings find themselves right in the playoff chase.
To stay that way, however, they must get through the Chicago Bears. Justin Fields started well in his return to play after injuring his ribs, but ultimately the Bears couldn’t overcome their boogieman Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last week in primetime in Lambeau. They now get to run it back in a night game at home against another divisional rival, in which they’ll try to play spoiler against Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.
The Vikings are about as Jekyll & Hyde as a team can get. In one week they’ll beat the Packers, and in another they’ll inexplicably lose to Detroit. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where they fall in the NFC hierarchy, but that’s been the story of the Vikings under Mike Zimmer. Few teams seem to play to the level of their competition more often. 12 of the Vikings’ 13 games have been decided by one possession this year, making them one of the most entertaining – if maddening – teams to watch in football.
Conversely, the Bears have had nine games decided by multiple scores. They’ve played fairly boom or bust this year, and looked like they just ran out of steam as Rodgers and the Packers capitalized last week. Perhaps playing at home will give the Bears a bit of a boost this week. Though they’re not exactly in the running for the playoffs at this point, derailing a division rival’s playoff chase in primetime would be a welcome consolation prize for Chicago fans.
Here’s what you need to know to watch the Vikings and Bears this Monday, including kickoff time, TV channels, and the full Week 15 NFL schedule.
MORE: Watch Bears vs. Vikings live with fuboTV (7-day trial)
What channel is Bears vs. Vikings on today?
- TV channel (national): ESPN
- Live Stream: ESPN, fuboTV
Bears vs. Vikings will be broadcast nationally on ESPN for “Monday Night Football” in Week 15. ESPN will have its regular booth broadcasting this game, with Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick. Lisa Salters will be on the sideline.
In Canada, viewers can watch Rams vs. Cardinals with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game.
Bears vs. Vikings start time
- Date: Monday, Dec. 20
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. EST, 7:15 p.m. CST
Bears vs. Vikings is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET, standard time for “Monday Night Football” at Chicago’s Soldier Field. It’s the second game Monday night with the postponed Browns vs. Raiders matchup rescheduled to 5 p.m. ET.
Chicago Bears schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | at L.A. Rams | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | at Browns | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Lions | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | at Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | at Steelers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | Bye | ||
| 11 | Nov. 21 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 25 | at Lions | 12:30 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | vs. Cardinals | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | at Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | vs. Vikings | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | at Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | vs. Giants | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
Minnesota Vikings schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | at Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | vs. Lions | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | at Panthers | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | Bye | ||
| 8 | Oct. 31 | vs. Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 12 | Nov. 25 | at 49ers | 4:25 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 9 | vs. Steelers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NFL/FOX |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | at Bears | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | vs. Rams | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | at Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
Monday Night Football schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Matchup |
| Week 1 | Sept. 13 | Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens |
| Week 2 | Sept. 20 | Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions |
| Week 3 | Sept. 27 | Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles |
| Week 4 | Oct. 4 | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders |
| Week 5 | Oct. 11 | Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts |
| Week 6 | Oct. 18 | Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills |
| Week 7 | Oct. 25 | Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints |
| Week 8 | Nov. 1 | Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Giants |
| Week 9 | Nov. 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears |
| Week 10 | Nov. 15 | San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams |
| Week 11 | Nov. 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants |
| Week 12 | Nov. 29 | Washington Football Team vs. Seattle Seahawks |
| Week 13 | Dec. 6 | Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots |
| Week 14 | Dec. 13 | Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams |
| Week 15 | Dec. 20 | Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings |
| Week 16 | Dec. 27 | New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins |
| Week 17 | Jan. 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns |
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