The Minnesota Vikings are seeking a more consistent offensive performance in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears. Against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings offense scored 39 points, the third-most in the league last week, but generated 239 yards of offense, 29th in the league.
Some of that can be attributed to good field position set up by turnovers and a 68-yard kick return. Minnesota scored touchdowns on all four red zone trips, with only one of those drives starting on their own side of the field.
They will face a Bears defense that gave up 37 points and 478 yards to the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. Kyler Murray's status is uncertain for Sunday, as is Brian O'Neill's, who missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury. Can the run game carry them
if O'Neill is out?
3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Bears in Week 2
Commit to the running game
Kevin O'Connell leaned on the run game against the Packers, even though it wasn't always effective. Excluding kneel-downs, the Vikings ran 32 times for 109 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per carry. However, Minnesota ranked 19th in rushing EPA (-0.04) and scored two touchdowns in Sunday's win.
Chicago allowed 5.7 yards per run in Week 1, ranking 22nd in rushing EPA allowed (+0.01). They built a lead that forced the Panthers into a pass-first attack. If the Vikings can keep the game close, which could be powered by an efficient running game, they could not only wear on a shaky Bears defense, but control the ball and set the tempo against a team that wants to score as many points as possible.
Get other receivers involved in the passing game
Justin Jefferson reminded the NFL world just how great he can be with competent quarterback play last week. He caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards and a touchdown, and added a two-point conversion. Oddly, no other Minnesota receiver caught a pass. Jordan Addison was open on two targets, but Wentz threw inaccurate passes on both attempts.
Two years ago, it was Addison, not Jefferson, who terrorized Chicago's secondary at Soldier Field. He caught eight passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while the Bears prioritized eliminating Jefferson from the game, holding him to two catches for 27 yards. That was a different squad with a different coaching staff, but there will be games where teams will dare someone besides Jefferson to beat them.
Protect the football
I feel like I could write this every week, because it's unlikely any coaching staff enters a game wanting to turn the ball over. But no team turned the ball over more than the Vikings in 2025 (30), and no team had more takeaways than Chicago (33).
The teams broke even in the turnover battle in Week 1 last year, with Minnesota winning 27-24. In Week 11, the Vikings turned the ball over twice and had no takeaways, as the Bears won 19-17. Inclement weather could also be a factor, with rain and thunderstorms possible, further emphasizing the importance of ball security.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Bears in Week 2
