The Chicago Bears like to think they are ready to take a giant step forward. Caleb Williams has a season under his belt, and there is a new head coach with a reputation for innovation.
The Minnesota Vikings are a playoff-level team, with a pair of wide receivers that are the equal of anything in the NFL. Now they introduce a new starting quarterback who is ready to play after sitting out a season with an injury.
The Bears and Vikings will meet up in the season opener for each team at Soldier Field in Chicago, kicking off at 8:15 PM ET on Monday.
Odds for Monday night NFL betting at BetOnline
This game is a near-pick’em affair, with the Vikings a very slight favorite:
- Minnesota Vikings -1 (-115)
- Chicago Bears +1 (-105)
- Over 43.5 Points -112
- Under 43.5 Points -108
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A new start for the Bears with Ben Johnson
Off his success with the Detroit Lions, Ben Johnson, an offensive coordinator who became one of the “hot” names among eligible head coaching candidates, was hired as head man with the Bears,. who have not had a reputation for imaginative offense of late.
One of the things Johnson has in mind ia to employ two tight ends in the passing attack, and that was part of the rationale behind drafting Colston Loveland out of Michigan in the first round, even before Tyler Warren of Penn State was taken. Johnson intends to pair Loveland up with Cole Kmet and provide some big targets for Caleb Williams, who showed pretty good control as a rookie by throwing just six interceptions in 562 attempts.
D’Andre Swift comes into the season as the lead running back, and that may not paint the rosiest picture. Williams has some wide receivers to work with (Rome Odunze, DJ Moore) and the front office has been working on the offensive line, adding people like center Drew Dalman and Joe Thuney. Braxton Jones who won the job in training camp despite some intense competition.
The Vikings’ future is in JJ McCarthy’s hands
Minnesota got a big year out of Sam Darnold last season. But they did not spend the big money on signing him to a new contract. In the 2024 draft, they selected Michigan’s JJ McCarthy earlier than expected (10th) because they liked him so much. And they are willing to place the offense in his hands.
McCarthy won a national championship under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and in his two years as a starter, he threw 44 TD passes with just nine interceptions.
How are the Vikings supporting McCarthy?
Minnesota is somewhat short-handed in its receiver corps because Jordan Addison will be serving a three-game NFL suspension for substance abuse. But Justin Jefferson is still on hand, and he accounted for 1533 yards receiving last year. Interestingly enough though, only 100 of those came in two games against Chicago. Adam Thielen was brought back to Minneapolis after a couple of years with Carolina. In 2023 he had 103 catches for the Panthers.
When TJ Hockenson is healthy, he’s been a premier tight end. Jordan Mason has joined Aaron Jones in the backfield, so Minnesota should have a fresh running back at all times.
The offensive line already features standout tackles—the team lists Christian Darrisaw as questionable—and it added center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries.
Bears vs. Vikings – Who Wins?
The Bears’ #1 cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, suffered an off-season groin injury that caused him to miss all of training camp, and it isn’t even certain that he can see action here. That’s a big handicap against a team with the wide receivers (including Jefferson) the Vikings have. But it might be a little easier without Addison present.
How much of a learning curve does McCarthy have? That’s certainly an operative question. We’re not expecting him to make a whole lot of mistakes, but before he blew out his knee last year he had tossed two interceptions in a preseason game.
We’ll give Ben Johnson some credit for inventiveness, Caleb Williams for advancing his maturity level, the front office for addressing the O-line, and perhaps we’ll look away from the rookie starting his first game as a road favorite on Monday Night Football.
THE PLAY: CHICAGO +1 (-105)
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