WK 02 ~ vs BEARS ~ Info, News, Discussion, etc

The Vikings jump from 22 to 17 in ESPN’s power rankings after their week one comeback against the Packers. pic.twitter.com/OwvQ6gtQGb

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) September 15, 2026

The Vikings are 5.5-point underdogs against the Bears for this Sunday’s game at Soldier Field.

Brian Flores is 1-5 in his last 6 games against Ben Johnson.

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 15, 2026

Brian Flores on Ben Johnson’s run game: “everything that an offense can do to give a defense problems, they do.” pic.twitter.com/ZwPxC5KNmF

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) September 15, 2026

#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson gave up a league high 127 receiving yards in week 1.

He now faces Justin Jefferson and the #Vikings WR core 😃 pic.twitter.com/x1KaJyOir5

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 15, 2026

Kevin O’Connell on Dallas Turner, via @KFAN1003:

“I tried to get everybody ready for it because I knew it was coming... It can take time to learn the nuance of the scheme… He’s putting it all together and that was just Week 1. Can’t wait to see what he does building off that.”

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 15, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/seanbormannfl/status/2099898738248417375?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

No better way to celebrate @PAOnTheMic's 500th regular season game calling #Vikings football than to have him sound the Gjallarhorn.

Looking forward to making it happen Week 7 against Indianapolis.

📻: @KFAN1003 pic.twitter.com/n3Q4rkZXcQ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2026

Brian Flores says Kyler Murray “looks good” pic.twitter.com/O31kchOomO

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) September 15, 2026

All three of the Vikings’ starting defensive linemen — Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Ty Ingram-Dawkins — were really impressive on the Week 1 tape.

That trio will be key against a Bears team that nearly ran for 300 yards against the Panthers.

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 15, 2026

Our @espn Week 2 Power Rankings feature one newcomer for each team that made an impact in their first game. Hello, Big Citrus. https://t.co/HI3I5Lw5t8 pic.twitter.com/srcRJvpSqR

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 15, 2026

A third-round pick from Iowa State, Orange made a key play in Sunday's comeback victory. With 13:17 remaining, the Packers decided to take a field goal off the board after a Vikings penalty and go for it on fourth-and-1. Quarterback Jordan Love checked into a sneak play, but Orange -- known by the nickname "Big Citrus" -- fought off center Sean Rhyan and stuffed Love for no gain. "If I was a quarterback," Orange told reporters afterward, "I'd try that, too. But they don't know about Big Citrus yet." -- Kevin Seifert

Well, guess they better get ready for a "banana ball" or two this Sunday.

This was Jimmy Horn Jr.’s muffed punt on what #Bears HC Ben Johnson called a “banana ball” from P Tory Taylor.

Punt starts toward the sideline before curving back to the middle, with side spin that makes it difficult to track/catch.

Horn was cut today. pic.twitter.com/lASR3W6cK1 https://t.co/DRhqTYbwVE

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2026

For those that may not know what it is (which most everyone here probably does know) or have simply forgotten about it (which I had):

A "banana ball" punt is an advanced, unorthodox football kick that travels in a curved, banana-shaped flight path due to heavy side spin. (also referred to by Australians as a "checkside" or "twister")

How It Works

• The Technique: The punter holds the ball at an angle or sideways and strikes it on the side rather than straight through.

• The Flight: For a right-footed kicker, the ball starts moving in one direction (often angling wide or looking like it will go out of bounds) before the sideways spin makes it curve sharply back toward the field.

• The Difficulty: The unpredictable motion and sideways spin make the ball extremely difficult for returners to track, judge, and catch cleanly.

Why Punters Use It

• Forcing Errors: Returners often misjudge the trajectory, leading to fair catch bailouts, missed catches, or muffed punts.

• Pinning Deep: It helps directional punters angle the ball toward the sideline and pin opponents deep near the end zone without bouncing into a touchback.

• Coverage Advantage: Even if the returner lets it bounce, the unusual movement wastes time and lets the coverage team sprint downfield to pin the opponent.

Our home crowd is such a weapon for us. pic.twitter.com/cIi9Eoz7nt

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2026

some people say halftime adjustments aren't a thing

tell that to Kevin O'Connell

1st half:

56% 3-WR sets
58% shotgun
25% early down play action

2nd half:

20% 3-WR sets
28% shotgun
67% early down play action

Result?

1st half: -0.09 EPA/play
2nd half: + 0.41 EPA/play

HUGE

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 15, 2026

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/2099918771800461810?s=20

To be fair, losing your starting QB better lead to some adjustments. I imagine he had staff reworking the play call sheet for the second half.

Glad to see the adjustments. Hope we can see it in game even if our QB is healthy but the play calling isn't working.

“It’s a major challenge, and that’s what we all signed up for.”

-Brian Flores on matching up against Ben Johnson and the Bears offense pic.twitter.com/yJGkexe3gU

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 15, 2026

A couple of intriguing names the Minnesota Vikings had in for a tryout, per the NFL transaction wire pic.twitter.com/VVjYSS5Dje

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) September 15, 2026

Justin Jefferson has a chance at Minnesota Vikings history next week against the Chicago Bears.

📸 Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/DJkxoCbLXb pic.twitter.com/OO7xgDVD4y

— TheVikingsWire (@TheVikingsWire) September 15, 2026

Justin Jefferson enjoyed a vintage performance on Sunday, as he had his best game in ages, going for 8 receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a two-point conversion. He had his first touchdown at home and his first two-touchdown performance since November 2024. This was exactly the type of game we needed to see from Jefferson, and it left him on the doorstep of Vikings history next week.

With just one reception next week against the Chicago Bears, Jefferson will pass Randy Moss to become second in all-time Vikings receptions, as Moss has 587. Jefferson is on pace to pass Cris Carter's 1,004 receptions before his career is over, and could easily fly past that total.

Jefferson currently sits outside the top 100 in all-time receptions, but given that he is already that high up the rankings at just 27 years old, he could easily end his career inside the top ten, or even give the top guys a run for their money.

Vikings worked out 3 running backs today, including Jerome Ford. Wonder if that means Jordan Mason could miss at least one game with his thumb issue. https://t.co/BNFUvKUBzj

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 15, 2026

“If he plays well again, then we are gonna have to have, at some point, a conversation about whether or not Carson Wentz has a shot at this job.”

- @RapSheet on the #Vikings QB situation pic.twitter.com/OGgbYUwpd5

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 15, 2026

Looks like Caleb is ready…!!!😇

Got the run game going Sunday, but there's still plenty of room to improve there.

📺: https://t.co/0cnQzh8Ky0 pic.twitter.com/qC5F9oy6lk

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2026