The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears face off on NFL Monday Night Football on September 8. Kickoff for Vikings vs Bears is set for in 8 p.m. ET from Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The game will broadcast on ESPN.
The Vikings are 1.5-point favorites over the Bears on the spread (Vikings -1.5), with the over/under set at 44. Minnesota is a -120 moneyline favorite to win tonight; Chicago is +100 to pull off the upset.
A couple of second-year quarterbacks — Caleb Williams of the Bears and J.J. McCarthy of the Vikings — face off in an NFC North divisional matchup on Monday Night Football to cap off the NFL Week 1 slate.
Let's get into my Vikings vs Bears prediction for Monday Night Football.
Vikings vs Bears Prediction
- Vikings vs Bears pick: Under 44
My Vikings vs. Bears best bet is on the under total points. As always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Vikings vs Bears Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 44 -110o / -110u | -120 |
| Bears Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 44 -110o / -110u | +100 |
Vikings vs Bears Monday Night Football Preview
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has been a revelation in the passing game, leading his team to top-six finishes in passing yards and passing touchdowns in each of his first three seasons as head coach.
While the Vikings' passing offense may eventually reach those same peaks in 2025, it appears destined to take a back seat to the running game early in the year, for several reasons:
- J.J. McCarthy is making his first career start on the road, in primetime, in a raucous environment against a divisional rival.
- The Vikings are missing No. 2 wide receiver Jordan Addison (suspension), who was second on the team in receptions (63), receiving yards (875) and receiving touchdowns (9) last season.
- Addison's replacement, Jalen Nailor, recently missed practice time due to a hand injury, while McCarthy hasn't had much time to work with new No. 3 wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has only been with the Vikings for a week.
- The Vikings seemingly leaned into a more run-heavy brand of football by re-signing blocking tight end Josh Oliver to a huge deal and revamping the interior line by signing Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency and drafting Donovan Jackson in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Bears defense poses a tough matchup through the air.
Both Jaylon Johnson (13th) and Kyler Gordon (14th) ranked top 15 at PFF among 116 qualified cornerbacks, and safety Kevin Byard ranked 22nd of 98 safeties. 2022 second-round pick Jaquan Brisker is also back at safety after missing the final 12 games of last season.
The Bears should also be a lot better versus the run after adding some beef to the interior line in the form of free-agent acquisition Grady Jarrett (Falcons) and second-round draft pick Shemar Turner (Texas A&M).
Vikings vs Bears Prediction, Betting Analysis
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson ordered Caleb Williams to tweak a number of things in the lead up to the new season: mechanics, footwork, foot positioning in shotgun and throws while moving left, so it would be silly to expect Johnson have Williams throwing it all over the yard in Week 1 against Brian Flores' disguise-happy defense. The Bears also didn't name a starting left tackle until a few days ago (Braxton Jones).
Like the Vikings, the Bears' offseason moves signal a potentially run-heavy approach. The Bears too revamped the interior of their offensive line, bringing in a trio of new starters in left guard Joe Thuney (Chiefs), center Drew Dalman (Falcons) and right guard Jonah Jackson (Rams).
They also drafted the more complete blocker at tight end in Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, while retaining Cole Kmet ($11.6 million 2025 cap hit) and signing Durham Smythe (Dolphins) in free agency at the position.
After Williams had success against Flores' defense in their first meeting last season with 340 yards and 2 TDs in a 30-27 overtime loss, he was held to just 166 net passing yards on 33 dropbacks (5.0 NYA) in a 30-12 loss in the rematch.
Per Action Labs, Divisional Unders of 47 or more in Week 1 are 53-41-1 (56.4%) since 2005, covering by 1.4 points per game.
Pick: Under 44 (-110; Play to 43)
Spread
I have no play on either side of the spread.
Moneyline
I have no play on either moneyline.
Over/Under
Kevin O'Connell and Ben Johnson may look to play it conservative with their second-year quarterbacks — both of which are making their first starts in their respective offenses.
J.J. McCarthy is making his first NFL start, period, after missing his rookie year with a knee injury, and Caleb Williams is making is first start in Johnson's offense after a rocky rookie season in which he took an NFL-high 68 sacks.
I like the under for Vikings-Bears on Monday night.
