Three Keys for the Minnesota Vikings to Beat the Bears on Monday Night

The Minnesota Vikings head to Chicago with rookie Quarterback J.J. McCarthy making his first NFL start, and frankly, there’s more riding on this game than just another Week 1 victory. This is about setting the tone for what could be a defining season in the NFC North.

The pressure is real. You can feel it building from Minneapolis all the way down to the Windy City. But if the Vikings want to walk out of Soldier Field with a statement win, they need to execute three critical game plan elements that will separate them from just another promising team that falls short.

Get Justin Jefferson Going Early and Often

Here’s the thing about elite receivers – they don’t just catch passes, they change the entire complexion of a game. Justin Jefferson is that type of player, and getting him involved early isn’t just about moving the chains. It’s about sending a message to Chicago’s defense and giving McCarthy the confidence he desperately needs in his debut.

Jefferson hauled in 109 catches for 1,809 yards last season, numbers that would make any quarterback look good. But this isn’t about padding stats. When Jefferson gets rolling, it opens up everything else. Jordan Addison becomes a legitimate threat on the opposite side. T.J. Hockenson finds more space underneath. The running game suddenly has room to breathe because safeties can’t cheat up into the box.

McCarthy needs to see those purple jerseys getting open, and he needs to see them early. First drive, first series, first opportunity – find number 18 and let him work. The Bears’ secondary has talent, but they’re still figuring out their identity under a new coaching staff. Strike before they can settle in.

Take the Analytical Approach to Supporting J.J. McCarthy

Let’s be brutally honest about what we’re asking from McCarthy on Monday night. A rookie quarterback, making his first start, on the road, in a division game, under the lights. That’s a recipe for disaster if you don’t handle it correctly.

But here’s where the numbers tell an encouraging story. McCarthy completed 67.3% of his passes in college with a 34-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio over two seasons. More importantly, he thrived in big moments. Michigan didn’t win a national championship by accident – they won it because their quarterback could handle pressure.

The Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line allowed just 32 sacks last season, ranking them in the top half of the league. That’s not elite, but it’s serviceable, especially when you consider they’ll be facing a Bears pass rush that managed just 38 sacks as a team in 2024. The math works in McCarthy’s favor if the Vikings can establish their running game early and force Chicago to respect play-action.

The Minnesota Vikings Need To Pressure Caleb Williams and Make Him Uncomfortable

This is where the Minnesota Vikings can really seize control of the game, and it’s an area where their defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, absolutely lives for these moments. Williams took 68 sacks last season – 68! That’s not just bad, that’s historically awful for a quarterback trying to develop confidence and rhythm.

Chicago spent the offseason trying to fix their offensive line, but you don’t solve that level of protection issues in one season. The Vikings’ pass rush, led by Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, combined for 16.5 sacks last season, and they’re going to smell blood in the water against this revamped but unproven Bears offensive line.

But it’s not just about getting sacks. It’s about making Williams feel phantom pressure even when it’s not there. Flores loves to show blitz and then drop seven into coverage, making quarterbacks second-guess what they’re seeing. Williams is still learning to read NFL defenses, and that split-second hesitation can be the difference between a completion and a sack.

The Minnesota Vikings defense forced 31 turnovers last season, ranking fourth in the NFL. When you combine that takeaway ability with Williams’ tendency to hold onto the ball too long under pressure, you have a recipe for game-changing plays.