The final game of an exciting week one slate wraps things up with an NFC North battle when the Vikings travel to Soldier Field to take on the Bears. The Bears have had a decade of misery, but with promising quarterback Caleb Williams entering year two, the hope is high in the windy city. As for the Vikings, they have their own young quarterback taking over the helm in J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings have a loaded roster, but any divisional game on the road is a tough one. Who will come out on top?
Predictions, odds, and spread for Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Key Line |
Chicago Bears |
Minnesota Vikings |
Point Spread |
+1.5 |
-1.5 |
Moneyline |
+105 |
-125 |
Key players you need to watch on the Chicago Bears
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Caleb Williams – Offense – As one of the most coveted QB prospects in recent memory, Caleb showed flashes of brilliance throughout a chaotic rookie season in 2024, passing for 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.
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DJ Moore – Offense – A proven Pro Bowler still in his athletic prime, Moore remains the Bears' top wide receiver and a key playmaker in the offense.
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Jaylon Johnson – Defense – Johnson is recognized as one of the better cornerbacks in the league and remains a cornerstone of the Bears' defense.
Key players you need to watch on the Minnesota Vikings
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Justin Jefferson – Offense – Jefferson led the Vikings last season with 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning the highest ranking among Vikings players in the 2025 NFL Network Top 100 list.
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Aaron Jones – Offense – Jones is recognized among the top Vikings players for 2025, being listed in the NFL Network Top 100, highlighting his key role on offense.
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Jonathan Greenard – Defense – Greenard earned a spot at No. 48 in the 2025 NFL Network Top 100, underlining his strong performance and importance to the Vikings' defense.
Key stats for Chicago Bears (2024)
TEAM |
PPG |
YDS/G |
PASS YDS/G |
RUSH YDS/G |
3D% |
RZ TD% |
PAPG |
YAPG |
TO GAINED |
SACKS |
OPP 3D% |
OPP RZ TD% |
FG% |
PUNTS/G |
FGM/G |
Chicago Bears |
18.2 |
310.9 |
208.9 |
102.0 |
32.9% |
62.16% |
21.8 |
346.0 |
24 |
58 |
37.6% |
36.8% |
81.8% |
5.0 |
1.7 |
Key stats for Minnesota Vikings (2024)
TEAM |
PPG |
YDS/G |
PASS YDS/G |
RUSH YDS/G |
3D% |
RZ TD% |
PAPG |
YAPG |
TO GAINED |
SACKS |
OPP 3D% |
OPP RZ TD% |
FG% |
PUNTS/G |
FGM/G |
Minnesota Vikings |
25.4 |
347.0 |
237.8 |
109.1 |
40.0% |
55.7% |
19.5 |
335.4 |
33 |
48.0 |
35.6% |
59.2% |
83.3% |
3.3 |
2.1 |
Who's winning the Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game?
Despite this being his 2nd year in the league, this will be J.J. McCarthy's first career game in the NFL after missing all of last season. It is no easy feat to go against the stout Bears defense in week one in primetime for any QB, but for your very first game, that's daunting. The Bears have had struggles this past decade on the offensive side of the ball, but with a new head coach in offensive mastermind Ben Johnson, I expect them to improve on that side of the ball this year. The Bears' home crowd will be rowdy, and I like them to cover the +1.5 as a slight home underdog.
Russell is a 22-year-old from Dallas, Texas, who recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Sports Journalism. He can talk about sports all day long and is also passionate about comedy and entertainment.