The 2026 season is off to a blazing start for the Chicago Bears after their big win over the Carolina Panthers
, but an important divisional matchup awaits them in Week 2, and a win would go a long way when it comes to defending the NFC North. The Bears (1-0) are set to welcome the Minnesota Vikings (1-0) to Soldier Field for their home opener on Sunday to see which team can start their year 2-0 and take hold of the division lead.Chicago flexed their offensive firepower against the Panthers as they won 59-37 in the biggest shootout ever in Week 1. Quarterback Caleb Williams delivered two passing touchdowns and added two more on the ground, while running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined for 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Vikings, meanwhile, overcame adversity to stun the Green Bay Packers by winning 39-22. Quarterback Kyler Murray exited early with a concussion, and the offense was led by Carson Wentz the rest of the way. Wentz played well in relief and slowly brought the Vikings back after being down 22-10 late in the third quarter. With a mix of timely offensive production and all-out blitzes on defense, the Vikings took care of business in the end.
It's been a while since the Bears defeated the Vikings at Soldier Field (2019 to be exact), and we know how competitive these games normally are, as five of their last meetings have been one-score finishes. Anything can happen in these divisional matchups, so here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Vikings.
1. Caleb Williams throws at least 3 touchdowns
We all know Flores is going to bring the heat against the Bears and Williams Sunday, though he does seem to blitz less often when playing at Soldier Field compared to other stadiums. Still, the pressure will be coming, and the Bears will be ready for it with quick strikes and moving pockets for Williams.
The Bears haven't had the gaudy passing numbers against the Vikings with Williams yet, but that changes Sunday. I don't expect Williams to throw for over 300 yards if D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai can chew up yards like we think they can, but I do believe the rushing attack will provide ample opportunities to pick apart a weak secondary in the red zone. Williams gets three passing touchdowns on Sunday to add to his excellent start to the season.
2. Luther Burden eclipses 100 receiving yards
Last week against Carolina, the Bears found success picking apart the Panthers' soft zone coverage with routes underneath to players like Kalif Raymond and Luther Burden. Both of them combined for 13 receptions for 147 yards, with Raymond leading the way with 84.
The Vikings run more zone than Carolina and while their front seven is formidable, their secondary is weaker than the Panthers'. We saw the Packers pick them apart, and I expect much of the same on Sunday. While players like Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze should get ample opportunities, Burden is the receiver I'm looking for to have a big day. His ability to sit in the soft coverages and make defenders miss tackles will be huge against the likes of Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers. Burden will get his first 100-yard receiving day of the season.
3. Aaron Jones finds paydirt
Once a Bear killer, always a Bear killer. The Vikings' rushing offense took a significant hit this week when Jordan Mason was put on injured reserve due to a thumb injury. That means Aaron Jones will receive the lion's share of the work on Sunday, and though he isn't the same player from the late 2010s and early 2020s, he still can generate big plays. Especially against the Bears.
Jones is a certified Bears killer, having more rushing yards (997) and touchdowns (14) against them than any other team in the league. Last year, he scored a receiving touchdown out of the backfield while blowing past the linebackers. Whether it's on the ground or through the air, Jones will get into the end zone once again on Sunday. It's just what he does against this team.
4. Jordan Addison goes off
The most dangerous receiver on the field Sunday will obviously be Justin Jefferson. He's a top-five player at his position and is always a threat to go off against any defense he's facing. But Jefferson won't be the most productive player at his position on the Vikings. That will be Jordan Addison, who has shined when getting full games with Carson Wentz as his quarterback.
The Bears' secondary will be rightfully focused on limiting Jefferson, likely with Jaylon Johnson and safety help on his side. That will open up opportunities for Addison, who will be facing the likes of Tyrique Stevenson more often than not. Addison produced his two best performances last year with Wentz under center, totaling 21 catches on 30 targets for 309 yards and two touchdowns in four games. Without Wentz, Addison caught 21 receptions on 49 targets for 301 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. That's a stark difference in production. Look for Addison to have a big day against this Bears secondary.
5. Dillon Thieneman gets his first interception
The Bears' rookie defensive backs had a solid debut last week in Carolina. Malik Muhammad came away with an interception and two passes defensed, while Dillon Thieneman helped force a fumble and led the team with 10 total tackles, as well as one pass defensed. Now getting the chance to play at Soldier Field for the first time since the preseason opener, Thieneman will be tasked with covering two upper-echelon pass catchers and preventing big plays downfield. But he'll also be facing Wentz, who has a penchant for turning the ball over in recent years.
Though Wentz threw for over 300 yards with three touchdowns and no picks last week, two of his five starts were games in which he had multiple interceptions. Thieneman was solid in coverage last week, allowing two completions on five targets against Carolina. He'll find himself in position to come away with a turnover and notch his first interception on an errant throw from Wentz.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Vikings
