Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears Prediction & Best Bets (September 8, 2025)
The end of Week 1 of the NFL season concludes with the first Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears.
Da Bears (I have called them that since the SNL skit with George Wendt, RIP) are hosting the Vikings at Soldier Field for the first Monday night slot; kickoff is at 8:15 pm ET.
The NFC North rivals are both debuting rookie QBs; the eras of J.J. McCarthy for Minnesota and Caleb Williams for the Bears start here.
New head coach Ben Johnson has put his faith in Williams, but will it pay off for Chicago? We are wondering the same about J.J. McCarthy under Kevin O’Connell’s already-proven program.
- The Bears spent the offseason making a lot of moves: a new quarterback, a new coach, added weapons to back up the rookie QB, and there’s been tons of hype around them. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve lost three in a row to Minnesota.
- The Vikings don’t need the same kind of hype; they’ve got a roster that’s built to win and a recent track record against Chicago to back it up.
Soldier Field’s crowd will be amped up for the opener, but the fans can’t play the game for them; it all comes down to execution on the turf.
We’ve got everything you need to know, so keep reading for the betting odds, a head-to-head QB comparison, the storylines we’re watching, and our picks for the best bets!
Game Snapshot
When and where is it going down? And how can you tune in? Look below!
- Matchup: Minnesota Vikings (0-0) vs. Chicago Bears (0-0)
- Game Details: Monday, September 8, at 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- How To Watch: ESPN and ABC
- Weather Forecast: The forecast is saying temps will be in the low 70s with light winds at kickoff, so it’ll be perfect night conditions at Soldier Field!
Quarterback Showdown: Williams vs. McCarthy
This game puts two young quarterbacks under the microscope: Caleb Williams has very real expectations in Year 2, and J.J. McCarthy is making his first NFL start!
Caleb Williams – The Bears
Williams (the former Heisman Trophy winner) showed off his admirable arm strength that made him the top pick, but his rookie season? It was dragged down by 12 interceptions in 11 starts. Chicago brought in Ben Johnson to run an offense built on clear reads, quick progressions, and movement to keep him on task. And with Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and Cole Kmet as his main targets, Williams now has more established playmakers. The Bears need him to prove he can handle high-pressure looks without forcing throws.
J.J. McCarthy – The Vikings
Minnesota went with McCarthy after he outplayed Sam Darnold in the preseason; he completed 72 percent of his passes without a turnover. Kevin O’Connell’s playbook will lean on defined concepts and high-percentage throws, which will allow Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to shoulder most of the load. McCarthy showed a lot of command in the preseason, but this opener will tell us how he processes post-snap rotations and handles the speed of a full NFL defense.
Main Storylines to Watch
This one will be defined by the coaching choices, who’s available on the injury report, and if new additions can execute against proven plays. Here’s what we’re watching:
Coaching Calls
- Ben Johnson makes his head coaching debut after running Detroit’s offense. He’s been praised for his red-zone play design, but this is his first time managing a game’s flow as the top man.
- Kevin O’Connell is in Year 3 with both coordinators intact. Brian Flores brings the same pressure-heavy defense that forces quarterbacks to speed up their decisions.
Injury Watch
Who’ll hit the field and who’s sitting this one (and possibly the next one) out?
The Bears
- RB Roschon Johnson (ankle): He’s doing limited practice, so the depth at running back could be stretched.
- CB Jaylon Johnson (groin): This’ll be a game-time call; if he’s out, Chicago’s secondary loses its top cover man.
- LB T.J. Edwards (back): Edwards is still listed as questionable; his absence would weaken run defense and coverage underneath.
The Vikings
- TE T.J. Hockenson (knee): He’s expected to play but will likely be managed on a snap count.
- LT Christian Darrisaw: He’s recovered from an ankle sprain and is set to start.
New Players
- Bears: Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze join DJ Moore to form the new receiving trio. On paper, it does look stronger, but Allen’s age and Odunze’s inexperience raise some concerns about consistency against aggressive coverage.
- Vikings: Jordan Addison is expected to take on a bigger share of the passing game next to Jefferson. His route running gives McCarthy a dependable option while defenses roll coverage toward No. 18.
Rivalry History & Trends
The numbers are all pointing in one direction, and that’s toward Minnesota.
- The Vikings are out in front with a record of 68–58–2 against the Bears.
- Minnesota has won 5 of the last 6 games against Chicago.
- The last 3 meetings between the teams all finished under the total.
- The Bears are 1–4 ATS in their last 5 against Minnesota.
- The Vikings are 8–2 ATS in their last 10 road games.
- NFL Media Picks: 5 of 7 picks are on the Vikings.
- Fan Pulse: Minnesota fans are feeling pretty confident after McCarthy’s preseason work. The Bears fans are still being cautious; they’re waiting to see if the new offense can deliver.
Vegas Movement: The spread opened Vikings –1, went to even, and has since moved back to the Vikings –1.5. The sharper money has gone Minnesota’s way.
Live DraftKings Odds Recap
If you’ve been jonesing for some action on Monday Night Football, here are the current odds and lines posted on DraftKings:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | -1.5 (-112) | -122 | Over 43.5 (-110) |
Bears | +1.5 (-108) | +102 | Under 43.5 (-110) |
And don’t forget to check as it gets closer to kickoff; the numbers move quickly, and even a half-point change can alter the value.
Our Best Bets
Wondering where you should put your money? Here’s what we’ve got our sights set on in terms of best bets.
Best Bet #1: Vikings –122
Our Confidence Level: Medium-High
Why Do We Like It?
- McCarthy protected the ball and handled preseason reps without making mistakes.
- Chicago’s defense is getting used to a new coordinator, and the communication just isn’t there yet.
- Minnesota has more continuity in personnel and play-calling, and that is super important in Week 1.
Best Bet #2: Under 43.5 (–110)
Our Confidence Level: Medium
Why Do We Like It?
- Both teams are introducing new looks on offense with quarterbacks who don’t have any experience in these roles.
- The Bears ranked 26th in red-zone touchdown percentage last year; the drives usually stalled out.
- Expect Minnesota to rely on the run game and shorter passing to protect McCarthy, which will limit explosive scoring chances.
Optional Prop: J.J. McCarthy Over 17.5 Rushing Yards
Our Confidence Level: Low
Why Do We Like It?
- Chicago blitzes at a very high rate, and that can create lanes for quarterbacks to escape.
- McCarthy’s mobility gives Minnesota another outlet if protection falls apart.
- Even a handful of scrambles or a designed keeper? That could push this number over.
Chicago Ain’t Ready for Da Bears
Final Score Prediction: Vikings 23 – Bears 17
We are going with Minnesota all the way! The Vikings open this season with more structure and way fewer unknowns on the field. Caleb Williams does have the arm to make game-changing throws, but his decision-making? It’s still inconsistent, and Brian Flores’ defense is literally built to bait quarterbacks into making mistakes.
This one points to a slower, lower-scoring game. Chicago will waste drives, and Minnesota has the players to finish off key possessions. A couple of strikes to Justin Jefferson? That should be enough to put the Bears on the back foot, and they haven’t shown they can come back from that.
Best Bets Recap
- Vikings Moneyline (–122): Medium–High
- Under 43.5 (–110): Medium
- Bonus Prop: J.J. McCarthy Over 17.5 Rushing Yards (–114): Low
Get ready for Monday Night Football! Back your Vikings vs. Bears picks with confidence and secure the best value using our top-rated sports betting sites.
