Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings – Week 1 Game Preview: Overview, Keys to Game, Insights
The long offseason is over and the NFL is finally back in action with excitement high for the Bears entering 2025. Matt Eberflus is out after a difficult 5-12 season and highly-touted former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is in at head coach. Johnson is hoping to bring 2024 first-overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams to the next level in his sophomore season.
Chicago is trying to help their young QB by adding several pieces to an offensive line that was not good a season ago, especially guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. Expectations are high for rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, a second round pick who dominated at Missouri.
The Bears locked down their two star players on the opposite side of the ball, with defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson signing extensions. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen hopes to improve a unit that while decent against the pass, got gashed by the run.
The special teams are virtually the same as 2024 with Cairo Santos doing the kicking and the big leg of Tory Taylor doing the punting. The Monsters of the Midway get the 2025 season underway at Soldier Field against their bitter rivals, the Vikings, on Monday Night Football.
Minnesota blew past all the preseason expectations in 2024 with a 14-3 record behind a dominating defense and an unlikely star turn by former first round bust quarterback Sam Darnold. Then Darnold totally unraveled with the division on the line against Detroit in Week 18 and was even worse when his squad was unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs the next week by the Rams.
The Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell made the decision to move on from their quarterback after the season and give the keys to first round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie year with a knee injury. McCarthy has a heck of a security blanket with All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson healthy and ready to go. They also got a terrific year from former Packers running back Aaron Jones.
Minnesota’s bread is really buttered by the defense which is coordinated masterfully by Brian Flores. Linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel combined for 23.5 sacks while the stingy front seven allowed the second fewest running yards per game in the NFL.
This is going to be a fascinating matchup between two teams that have made major changes in the offseason. Bears fans are hopeful yet apprehensive about yet another new coaching regime at Halas Hall. Everyone is about to find out if this time is different beginning Monday night.
Where to Watch/Listen
- Monday, September 8 at 7:15pm CT on ABC/ESPN, WBBM Radio (English), and WRTO Radio (Spanish).
Keys to Victory
Here are my keys to Monday’s game. If these things happen, the Bears should have a shot to win.
- Protect Caleb Williams. Bears quarterbacks were sacked a league-leading 68 times in 2024 which obviously has to improve if they want to be successful in 2025.
- Try to avoid being one dimensional on offense. It won’t be easy against the Vikings but Chicago needs to establish some kind of running game with D’Andre Swift. Having to rely only on the passing game won’t end well with Minnesota’s pass rush.
- Keep J.J. McCarthy from getting comfortable. The young quarterback has not taken a snap since he was under center for Michigan in the national title game in January 2024. If the Bears can keep him overwhelmed it might be enough to win.
- Avoid turnovers at all costs. The Vikings had a +12 turnover differential last season and in what is probably going to be a low-scoring affair a fumble or interception might be decisive.
Don’t Tell Me the Odds
Minnesota is favored by 1.5 points on the road in Chicago Monday night. The over/under is set at 43.5, so the oddsmakers expect an average offensive output.
It’s Football Weather
The weather for the game at Soldier Field Monday night it’s going to be mostly clear and in the mid 60s.
My Prediction
The Ben Johnson era will begin with a close victory at home. McCarthy will struggle in his first career NFL game and the Bears offense will take advantage of a couple of turnovers to pull out a 21-17 win.
Official NFL Preview
Here is the official preview of the Bears-Vikings game from the NFL.
