Bears vs Vikings Player Props To Target
Did you have fun in Week 1? It was great to have football back, even if most of the slate was underwhelming on several fronts. But that Buffalo-Baltimore game was OFF THE HOOK! INSTANT CLASSIC. Josh Allen showed why he's the reigning MVP. Derrick Henry (despite a terrible fumble) is still the king. Seriously, it's like trying to tackle a Hummer in the open field.
To cap off the return of the NFL, an interesting NFC North showdown is on deck on Monday Night. The real question is what are we betting?
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Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) @ Chicago Bears | Total: 43.5
A rivalry renewed, the Vikings and Bears do battle in Chicago to kick off 2025's Monday Night Football and cap off Week 1. Minny swept the series last season, but narrowly escaped Chicago with a 30-27 victory.
It's a new look for the Vikings, bringing in J.J. McCarthy as their QB after missing his entire rookie season. A lot of the pieces from that 14-win team a season ago are still in place, but what does the 1st round pick look like? I would imagine - at least for the first half - the training wheels could still be on, but Minny will face a Bears defense expected to be a little better than the sixth-worst total unit from last season (13th best scoring D at 21.8 PPG).
Chicago ranked near the top of the league in defending WRs, though Justin Jefferson isn't just any wideout. Where they struggled was against the run, allowing the second-most yards and most touchdowns. With a basically rookie QB, this may be a more run heavy game script for the Vikings using the tandem of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. It's difficult to know what the split looks like in the backfield in the first game, but Jones is still the presumed lead dog at the moment, which makes his 49.5-yard total a bit interesting for the over.
The big acquisition for Chicago this offseason was hiring the Lions superstar OC in Ben Johnson as their new skipper. Could he bring that Detroit flair to the Windy City? Ultimately, I believe he will, but against Minnesota's vaunted defense that ranked fifth best in PPG (19.5) and second best in rushing (93.4 YPG), it could be tough out there tonight.
Seemingly, the way to attack the Vikes defense is through the air where they were beatable last year. It makes sense anyway since Johnson has Caleb Williams as his QB1, a guy that he needs to continue developing. Aside from that, Chicago has weapons on the outside in DJ Moore and Rome "Rome Daddy" Odunze.
All week, I leaned Minnesota in this one. Even on the road against a divisional foe, Kevin O'Connell has already proven his capability as a head coach, while Johnson has not. Furthermore, I trust Minnesota's defense more than Chicago's. I do like the Bears this year, but I'm not jumping the gun on them as the new Lions just yet.
Pick: Vikings -2.5 -105 (FanDuel)
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Monday Night Football Props
Aaron Jones TD +165 (DraftKings)
The Bears' run defense could improve with DT Grady Jarrett coming over from ATL, but this unit got had by RBs last season. Even with the addition of Jordan Mason, I think Jones is still the guy in this backfield. The number is a tad big.
T.J. Hockenson O41.5 yards -114 (FD)
The Bears were carved by tight ends last year, allowing the sixth-most yards. A legit TE funnel, this defense could struggle against a really good weapon in Hock. Ultimately, I think when McCarthy throws, his TE will be a big security blanket. Jettas may be the number one option, but there's not much competition for the second option with Jordan Addison on the shelf.
