Really fun Ep of @AlecLewisShow with @PeteBercich previewing Vikings-Bears…https://t.co/hjAQpsbse4

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 18, 2026

Rookie Adrian Peterson at Soldier Field in 2007:

- 20 rushing attempts
- 224 rushing yards
- 3 rushing TDs
- 53 yard kick return to set up game winning FG

We will never see another rookie dominate like this again. pic.twitter.com/URftRB3hBx

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 18, 2026

Vikings practicing in the rain today in prep for similar weather Sunday in Chicago. Kyler Murray (concussion) once again on the field. Brian O’Neill (knee) returned. Jauan Jennings (personal/family) still away. pic.twitter.com/ar3sEUABlN

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 18, 2026

Loaded Vikings-Bears preview with @JonKrawczynski…

• What we’re watching
• Biggest concerns
• Most interesting matchup
• Advanced data breakdown 📊
• Two different predictions 👀https://t.co/axdXfW9c8Z

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 18, 2026

Vikings-Bears predictions: What we’ll be watching in Ben Johnson-Brian Flores clash

Few Week 2 matchups come with more potential fireworks than this. The Ben Johnson-Brian Flores showdown may dominate the headlines, but there are plenty of fascinating layers to Sunday’s divisional showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.

Can the Bears turn the tide on their recent history against the Vikings at Soldier Field? Can Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner continue his ascent? Will superstar receiver Justin Jefferson take over for a second straight game?

The answers to these questions will have major ramifications in what will be a tight NFC North race. As always, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis and Jon Krawczynski are here for a preview.

What I’m watching

Lewis: Bears center Garrett Bradbury. Familiarity adds to the intrigue here. The Vikings drafted Bradbury in the first round in 2019. He spent six seasons in Minnesota and remains close with many of the team’s offensive linemen. This wouldn’t normally be a focal point, but it’s difficult to overstate how important Bradbury might be in this matchup. Can he decipher the Vikings’ blitz strategies? Can he help Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sift through the mayhem? Can Minnesota make his head spin with stunts, twists, and mugged-up looks that create mental stress on each play, while also positioning him in suboptimal spots? Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores plucks at holes like nobody else. It will be fascinating to see if Bradbury is one of them.

Krawczynski: Justin Jefferson at Soldier Field. No matter who is playing quarterback for the Vikings, Jefferson will have to strap on the Superman cape again if Minnesota is going to keep up offensively with the Bears on the road. He matched his 2025 season touchdown total with two in Week 1 against Green Bay, making the kind of plays that established him as arguably the league’s best receiver. He will need to be at his dynamic best, and I think he will have opportunities. For all the attention the Bears offense got in Carolina, their defense was less than impressive against the Panthers. Jefferson will have to carry a lot of the load in this one.

Biggest concerns

Lewis: Caleb Williams’ heroics. Only one NFL player reached 20 mph twice in Week 1. It was Williams. His feel in the pocket presents one challenge, but he builds upon that with a special degree of elusiveness. Combine that with his improved comfort in Johnson’s system, which allows him to attempt passes with more anticipation and accuracy, and his toolbag creates massive problems. The Vikings defense will have to do many things at once. It must apply pressure to make him uncomfortable — but do so with containment. It must cover the deeper areas of the field Williams can access with his arm but guard against his ability to take off if there is space underneath. Flores called Williams “a young superstar” earlier this week for good reason. Few quarterbacks offer as many puzzles to solve.

Krawczynski: The Vikings running game. Jordan Mason has looked like the most dangerous back in the Minnesota backfield through training camp, the preseason and then again in Week 1. He outgained Aaron Jones 59-40 and seemed to get better as the game went on, asserting his physicality against the Packers’ defenders. But Mason is out with a thumb injury, taking a big piece away from the Vikings’ attack. After the game, Kevin O’Connell spoke about the importance of sticking with the running game, even when there wasn’t much to show for it in the first half, and how that helped open things up in the third and fourth quarters. Practice-squadder DeeJay Dallas got more snaps than anyone expected last week and will be in the mix again. But Jones will no doubt get a lot more action with Mason out. Can he be the featured back at this stage of his career?

Most interesting matchup

Lewis: The Vikings offensive line vs. the Bears defensive line. This might sound simple, but Minnesota will have to dominate this matchup. The Vikings are spending almost $64 million on their offensive line in 2026, the fifth most in the NFL. You allocate that kind of money to five players so they can handle a Bears defensive line with players like Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Kentavius Street, Dayo Odeyingbo, Neville Gallimore, Austin Booker and James Lynch. In the past, Sweat has caused problems for right tackle Brian O’Neill. Jarrett, meanwhile, flashed in Chicago’s opener against Carolina. Still, the Vikings spent months of the offseason highlighting their renewed emphasis on the offensive line. That must show here.

Krawczynski: Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson. I guarantee you the entire league will be watching this slugfest at some point on Sunday or Monday. Two of the league’s premier tacticians, the kind of strategists who give their opponents sleepless nights, will go at it. Johnson has been one of the few play callers I have seen who has had success identifying holes in a Flores defense and then attacking them. But Flores has won his fair share of rounds against Johnson, too. In basketball parlance, both coaches will go deep in their bags on Sunday. It will be terrific theater.

Most interesting overall storyline

Lewis: Can the Bears beat O’Connell at Soldier Field? They haven’t yet. Minnesota has won all four away games against the Bears since O’Connell took over in 2022. Most haven’t been pretty. But wins are wins, especially in the NFC North, and especially this early in the season. If the Vikings can find a way to emerge with another divisional victory, they will start to create some national noise. This might seem overly simplified, but one sneaky key is the Vikings finding a way to generate an early lead. Don’t be surprised if they choose to receive the ball if they win the coin toss. It would speak to a big-picture, all-phases strategy.

Krawczynski: Were the Vikings good or lucky last week? Green Bay controlled the first 2 1/2 quarters, then made some head-scratching decisions that let the Vikings back into it. Three flags on the go-ahead drive certainly helped, but Minnesota also deserves credit for cashing in on the opportunities Green Bay gave them. And the defense in the final quarter was in another world. We’ll find out on Sunday whether the Vikings are a really good team that put it all together at the right time against the Packers, or if they’re a decent team that pulled a rabbit out of its hat.

How these teams match up from a data standpoint

Here is where each team ranks in 2026 in the following categories, using explosive play rate for explosiveness, success rate for efficiency and DVOA’s strength of schedule (from 2025):

Predictions

Lewis: Vikings 29, Bears 26. I acknowledge the boldness here. This pick could look silly, but it comes down to a genuine belief. The Vikings defense has more teeth than the Bears defense. For as good as Chicago’s offense is, I’m not sure how the Bears’ combined pass rush and secondary slow down Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Krawczynski: Bears 27, Vikings 24. Hey, I’m the idiot who picked the Packers last week, so what do I know? But of all the offensive minds out there, Johnson has looked one step ahead of Flores more than anyone. I give the Bears the slight edge.

At the Bears Week - 2015: Vikings comeback to win on a FG as time runs out. Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson lead the way, while WR Charles Johnson makes a key play to keep the Vikings alive on the final drive. Vikes win 23-20 at 0:00 on the clock. pic.twitter.com/f4Kz93QKnd

— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 18, 2026

At the Bears Week - 2000: Vikings pull to 6-0 on the year, as Daunte Culpepper throws for 3 scores (Carter, Hatchette & Moss) and Robert Smith runs 23 times for 172 yards (72 Yd TD run) in the 28-16 Viking win. @Hatch89 @Robert26Smith pic.twitter.com/GeiQ1zZAxH

— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 18, 2026

Final #Vikings Week 2 injury report

OUT: WR Jauan Jennings (not injury related - personal) and QB Kyler Murray (concussion)

QUESTIONABLE: T Brian O'Neill (knee) pic.twitter.com/ydXi8yVpHl

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 18, 2026

Just in case you didn't already know... 😎

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announces that Carson Wentz will start Sunday at Chicago and J.J. McCarthy will serve as the team's backup. pic.twitter.com/SgyaKkE466

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 18, 2026

LIVE: Head Coach Kevin O'Connell talks to the media https://t.co/jYYXX9PmXu

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 18, 2026

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2100726548970021087?s=20

Not sure he was supposed to say the quiet part out loud.

Kevin O’Connell said he expects rookie RB Demond Claiborne to be active for Sunday’s game at Bears, with Jordan Mason (thumb) on IR. DeeJay Dallas will also be a part of the group that backs up Aaron Jones Sr.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 18, 2026

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/Vikings/status/2101017817730441415?s=20

What is going on with Jennings?

EllerVikes wrote:

Don't feel good about this one Wentz will be sitting duck with his led feet.

Chicago wins 28-13 😔

Not sure why we think the Bears are suddenly a good defense. They ranked 29th in pressure rate last year and sit ranked 31st in pass defense this year after their game against the Panthers.

greediron wrote:

What is going on with Jennings?

Death in family

#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says Kyler Murray should clear protocol next week, setting him up to start in week 3 vs the #Buccaneers.

“I’m very encouraged for what next week looks like for him.” pic.twitter.com/bWLv2SRsPu

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 18, 2026

#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says he expects to use Aaron Jones, Deejay Dallas and Demond Claiborne on Sunday with Jordan Mason out.

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 18, 2026

Eyes on week two 👀 pic.twitter.com/b29X8gFaZx

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 18, 2026

Jones needs only 3 more yards to have 1,000 career rushing yards against the bears.

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2101020029332414803?s=20

Been hearing some people say that Dallas will get RB2 snaps. I could be wrong, but i don't think that will be the case. I think he was brought in mostly for special teams (he made the key block in Price's big return, the play when everything turned around).

Claiborne's a rookie, but he's been in this offense much longer than Dallas has. They might trust the veteran more as a pass blocker tho.