Vikings vs Bears Predictions: NFL Week 1 MNF Preview

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears 

Line: Vikings -1.5

Total: 43.5

We cap off Week 1 with yet another primetime divisional match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. There are big expectations around both of these teams this season, but it will be hard to replicate the game we saw in primetime last night between the Ravens and Bills. Chicago is installed as short home dogs here with a middling total of 43.5 points. Kick-off is set for 8:15 ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. 

Minnesota Vikings 

We kick this game preview off with the road team – who has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations this season after finishing 2024 with a 14-3 record and falling just short of the number one overall seed in the NFC. Enter: JJ McCarthy – the former top-ten pick that was handpicked by Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell will take over at QB for the Vikings this season after missing all of his rookie season due to injury. I have no questions about McCarthy’s ability to run this offense and KOC has proven to be one of the best offensive schemers in football. That being said, this is still JJ’s first regular season start and it would be wise to temper expectations a bit. 

Justin Jefferson missed essentially all of camp as they bubble-wrapped him due to an early hamstring injury. Jordan Addison is suspended – which means newly reacquired Adam Thielen and Jalen Nailor will follow suit in the pass catcher group behind Jefferson and TE TJ Hockenson. Of everyone tonight, betting on Thielen to play an expanded role is something I’m interested in. We got reports that he will play mostly in the slot but wouldn’t see “full snaps”. I don’t know exactly how to interpret that, but I don’t see how he doesn’t play as much as possible right away. He’s familiar with this team AND with McCarthy as the two regularly work out together in the offseason together. He posted over 2.00 yards per route run last season and dispelled any rumors of being washed. 

As for the RB group – Minny brought in Jordan Mason this season to play alongside Aaron Jones and it remains to be seen what role these two will truly play. Most assume they brought Mason in to help out in the red zone – but I think that’s an area we could see KOC scheme up JJ McCarthy as a runner and use his athletic ability. 

Chicago Bears 

Chicago made a huge change in the offseason, landing Ben Johnson as HC who we know as arguably the brightest offensive mind in the league right now. This should help Caleb Williams out more than anyone – but I think we could see Chicago replicate what Johnson did during his time in Detroit which is emphasizing running the football. They brought in multiple new offensive lineman, drafted a TE top-15 in the draft and re-signed Cole Kmet despite that move. Reading the tea leaves of their off-season moves can give us an edge and I do believe Chicago wants to be a run-heavy offense. Even more so than JJ McCarthy, Caleb Williams is a dual-threat at the QB position and utilizing his mobility could be a key for Johnson as well. He didn’t have that capability in Detroit with Jared Goff at the helm of his offense. 

Roschon Johnson won’t be able to suit up for this game, which leaves just seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai behind D’Andre Swift. Ben Johnson is familiar with Swift given their time in Detroit together and we should see Swift operate as the clear lead back to begin the season. Monangai has some juice, but it remains to be seen what his role will truly be right away. 

DJ Moore and Rome Odunze should operate as the leading WRs here for the Bears with rookie TE Colston Loveland playing the “Sam Laporta” role as well. I think the biggest spot of interest for me in both single game DFS and prop betting is who will man the slot receiver role for the Bears. This can be a high value role in the Ben Johnson offense and the man that looked like the clear lead for the spot in the preseason was Olamide Zaccheaus. He was treated as a starter in the preseason while rookie Luther Burden played almost exclusively with the second team offense. Burden will likely take over this role as the season progresses but Zaccheaus is interesting as a flier on Monday night.

Score Prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 23

Touchdown Prediction: Adam Thielen, Caleb Williams