High-powered Bears offense set to face Vikings defense stingy on points

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

High-powered Bears offense set to face Vikings defense allowing yards but stingy on points

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 3:48 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings enter their game on Sunday at the Chicago Bears 12th in points allowed per game after Week 1 but 28th in total defense after the Green Bay Packers gained 419 yards last week.

The Bears lead the NFL in multiple offensive categories after a 59-37 win in the season opener at the Carolina Panthers.

The Bears topped the NFL in Week 1 with 552 yards, .843 points per play and eight touchdowns. The Bears' Week 1 offensive explosion was historic. Head coach Ben Johnson doesn't just want the Bears to have the best offense in the NFL in 2026; he set the goal of being the best in league history.

The 96 points the Bears and Panthers combined for were the most in a season opener in NFL history. The Bears led 14-7 after one quarter, 31-24 at halftime and scored at least 14 points in every quarter. Carolina also scored in every quarter but they could not keep up with the Bears offensively.

Caleb Williams completed 21 passes in 29 attempts for 269 yards and two TDs while adding 10 carries for 65 yards and another pair of scores. Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love completed 21 passes in 42 attempts for 387 yards, two TDs and one interception as the Packers out-gained Minnesota 419-239 in a 39-22 loss.

Caleb Williams posted the NFL’s best Total QBR while leading the Bears to 59 points in Week 1.

Now he gets a Vikings defense that blitzed a league-high 72% of the time and posted a 91% Pass Rush Win Rate https://t.co/2yvM2wbzgB pic.twitter.com/0MKqPWVkqi
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 16, 2026

Can Bears replicate rushing success against Vikings?

Chicago ran 39 times for 291 yards and six TDs against Carolina. D'Andre Swift had 18 carries for 124 yards and three TDs against Carolina and Kyle Monangai had 10 attempts for 100 yards and another score. The 291 rushing yards were the most for the Bears since they had 302 in a 27-0 win over the Denver Broncos in 1984.

Minnesota shut down Green Bay on the ground by holding the Packers to 21 carries for 66 yards and out of the end zone. Both Green Bay turnovers were in the fourth quarter, and the Packers converted only three of their 12 third-down attempts and one of their four red-zone opportunities.

Minnesota played well defensively in key situations against Green Bay to earn the win. The Bears had one turnover, converted 10 of 14 on third down and scored on all four trips in the red zone at Carolina.

How well each team plays in the critical moments and who wins the turnover battle should play a big role in the outcome between Chicago and Minnesota.

Alan Rubenstein

More must-reads: