By Salem Chicago News Staff
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears will open their home schedule Sunday at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings, with the winner taking sole possession of first place in the NFC North at 2-0.
The noon kickoff carries added significance after the Detroit Lions fell 41-31 to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, leaving the Bears-Vikings matchup as the division’s marquee contest of the weekend.
Bears Enter on a High
Chicago enters riding high after a historic 59-37 season-opening victory at Carolina in which the offense tied a franchise record with six rushing touchdowns and produced 291 rushing yards. The 59 points are tied for the second-most by an NFL team in a season opener.
“We haven’t put up any points this week,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday when asked about guarding against overconfidence.
On the other side of the ball, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams set several records in the opener, becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 269 yards and two touchdowns, rush for at least 65 yards and two touchdowns, post at least a 124.1 passer rating, complete at least 72 percent of his passes and avoid a turnover in a single game. Running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both eclipsed 100 rushing yards in Week 1 for the second time in their last seven games together.
Minnesota’s Threat
Minnesota presents an entirely different challenge. The Vikings have won six consecutive games dating to last season, including a 39-22 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 in which the team scored the game’s final 29 points.
“This is a really good team coming in,” Johnson said. “The way that they finished last year and they started this year, they’re hot.”
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced Friday that quarterback Kyler Murray has been ruled out with a concussion sustained against the Packers. Veteran Carson Wentz will start in his place. Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns and a 123.5 passer rating in relief against Green Bay. Wentz is 4-0 all-time against the Bears in his career.
“He’s really talented,” Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards said of Wentz. “He’s seen a lot of ball at this point, too, of his career. Can make all the throws, can move if he has to and get out of some things.”
The Bears defense will need to contend with superstar receiver Justin Jefferson, who caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers, plus a strong Minnesota rushing attack averaging 125.8 yards per game during the team’s winning streak.
Defensive Pressure
The Bears expect to face heavy pressure from a Vikings defense coordinated by Brian Flores that blitzed on 78.3 percent of dropbacks against Green Bay.
“It comes from all over the place,” Johnson said. “He likes to bring zero more than any other coordinator in this league. He keeps you on your toes.”
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor said the coaching staff spent the week simplifying Williams’ reads. “It’s on us to simplify his thought process as much as possible,” Taylor said. “If this happens, here’s your answer. If that happens, here’s your contingency plan.”
The Bears enter Sunday’s game in full health. No players carry injury designations on the final report, marking the first time that has happened since Week 7 of the 2022 season. Vikings receiver Jauan Jennings will miss the game for a personal issue, and starting right tackle Brian O’Neill is listed as questionable with a knee injury.
Kickoff is at noon at Soldier Field. The game will be broadcast on television, with streaming and radio options available through the Bears’ website.
Source: Chicago Bears
