Vikings vs. Bears Odds, Picks & Betting Tips

NFL

The first betting week of the NFL season ends with a NFC North confrontation between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, September 8 from Soldier Field in Chicago. The first MNF contest of the season will air on ABC and ESPN. Both teams have a different outlook coming in then they had at the end of last season. The Bears are hopeful new coach Ben Johnson can turn around an inept offense that averaged just 18.2 points a season ago.

Vikings at Bears Preview

With Sam Darnold behind center last year the Vikings had one of the finest seasons in franchise history winning 14 games. The only reason Darnold got a shot was because of a preseason injury to 2024 first round pick J.J. McCarthy. With the writing on the wall Darnold bailed leaving McCarthy, who has a total of 24 preseason pass attempts in the NFL, as the club’s starter.

To assist McCarthy in the passing game and to alleviate the pressure on Justin Jefferson, the Vikes dipped into the way-back machine acquiring Adam Thielen. But defense and turnovers were the team’s strength in 2024. The Vikings allowed the fifth fewest points and tied for the league lead with 33 takeaways, including a NFL best 24 interceptions.

QB1 J.J. McCarthy has never played a regular season down in the NFL.
Byron Murphy had the third most interceptions in the NFL last season and was one of seven Vikings with multiple picks.
Though they ended last season with a whimper, the Vikings went 11-5-1 ATS during the regular year to be one of the most profitable teams.
The Vikings had at least one takeaway in every game last season.

All eyes will be on the offense this season and with good reason. Snatching one of the hottest coaching prospects on the market, the Bears are looking to change their fortunes on that side of the ball. It was tough to gauge 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams last season since he was sacked a league high 68 times. When he wasn’t running for his life Williams had decent numbers throwing for 3,541 yards and 20 TDs with only six picks. But the Bears tied for 28th in scoring.

That’s why Johnson was hired and the club invested heavily on offense, especially on the line with three new projected starters. Last year Johnson coordinated the NFL’s highest scoring team with Detroit averaging 33.2 points. And the Lions were second at 409.5 yards/game. There are playmakers like D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze and DJ Moore on that side of the ball, so there is hope.

The Bears scored 17 points or less in nine of their 17 games in 2024.
Chicago was 5-2-1 against the NFL betting line at home last season.
Williams was sacked 68 times last season, tied for the third most in NFL history.
The Bears scored one or zero touchdowns in five games last year and totaled just 33 offensive TDs.

Vikings at Bears Predictions

I’m buying the hype from the Bears and feel the combo of Johnson and Williams, with an upgraded line and an abundance of skill players, can produce points. In his last four games against the Vikings as OC with Detroit, the Lions scored at least 30 points making me want to back the OVER.

Vikings at Bears Betting Tips

Minnesota is laying 1-point on the NFL betting line as of Thursday with a moneyline price of -123.
The Vikings are 14-1 SU in their last 15 games as a road favorite
The Bears are 5-1-1 in their last seven games as a home underdog. Their moneyline price is +107.
The total is positioned at 44.
The OVER is 7-4 in Chicago’s last 11 home games.

Vikings at Bears Head to Head and Key Stats

Minnesota swept the last season series and is 8-2 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
The Vikings have won five in a row in Chicago going 4-0-1 ATS.
The teams have cashed the UNDER in nine of the last 11 games at Soldier Field.
Williams threw three TD passes without being intercepted against the Vikings last season.