Vikings vs Bears Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 9/8/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
MINNESOTA @ CHICAGO (MIN -1.5, 43.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
VIKINGS @ BEARS 9/8/25
Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, has never been dissatisfied with a blitz package—the kind of overly aggressive strategy that is likely to rattle a young quarterback.
As Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy makes his first career start—in primetime at historic Soldier Field—like-minded Dennis Allen, who starts his first season as defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears defense, surely reminded his veteran starters that there is fresh meat on the menu.
Ben Johnson, the Bears' new head coach, has the ability to sever all ties between defensive masterminds in the team's final game of Week 1. During a record-breaking run of success as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson has racked up 30 points or more in each of his last four gridiron chess games against Flores.
Johnson, a one-man offensive think tank, expects Flores and the Vikings to test second-year quarterback Caleb Williams with a variety of new looks and creative disguises. Williams will be playing behind an offensive line that includes three new starters. According to Johnson, he has been researching Flores for years, ever since the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins trained as the New England Patriots' defensive coordinator. Flores developed an ever-evolving plan that attempts to not show the same looks over and over.
In 2024, Minnesota ranked fifth in terms of points allowed per game and tied for the NFL lead with 33 takeaways. The Vikings added two seasoned defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who can also cause havoc on passing downs, to fill one persistent gap.
Williams was selected nine spots ahead of McCarthy as the first overall pick in the 2024 draft. In two starts against Minnesota last season, Williams threw three touchdown passes with zero interceptions and a passer rating of 96.7, never looking like a rookie against the Flores defense.
In last season's victory at Chicago, the Vikings didn't have to give Williams their full hand. Under quarterback Sam Darnold, Minnesota won 30-27 in overtime after the Bears erased an 11-point deficit. McCarthy, who fully recovered from the two right knee surgeries that cost him his rookie season, took over as quarterback after Darnold left for Seattle in free agency.
CB Jaylon Johnson is the Bears' biggest injury concern. After missing the entire preseason due to a groin injury, he expressed optimism this week that he would be able to return to the field. On Thursday's injury report, he was listed as limited.
McCarthy is likely to find All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson frequently, whether or not Jaylon Johnson is present. The Vikings will not have Jordan Addison due to suspension, and Jefferson was limited to two receptions in 2024 against Chicago. After teams broke training camp, Minnesota re-acquired veteran Adam Thielen, who has just begun working with McCarthy.
The Vikings' 34-31 victory at Soldier Field in 2007 was the first game that the 22-year-old McCarthy, who was raised in the Chicago area, attended. Whether the Vikings are able to replicate their 14-3 record from the previous season will probably depend on how quickly he matures as an NFL quarterback.
Before the 2024 draft, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, a former NFL quarterback, had lengthy meetings with Williams. He claimed he didn't mind telling Williams that he was still a fan. After last year's game, he took the Bears' quarterback aside on the field to express his appreciation for Williams' play and spirit of competition.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles, a former NFL offensive lineman, added guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to the offensive line. In addition, he signed Drew Dalman, a costly free agent center, and kept investing in assembling a group of playmakers around Williams. The Bears added dynamic Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second round and selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick in April of 2024, after selecting Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the top 10.
The Bears listed running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) as limited on Thursday in addition to Jaylon Johnson. Josh Blackwell (groin), linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring), and running back Roschon Johnson (foot) were all listed as DNP.
Notable absences from practice Thursday for Minnesota were safety Harrison Smith (illness) and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee). Elijah Williams (hamstring) and running back Zavier Scott (ankle) were also sidelined.
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D’ANDRE SWIFT OVER 52.5 RUSHING YARDS
Last night, this number was 47.5. Swift should get the majority of the action tonight with Roschon Johnson listed as questionable. Swift ran for 53 or more yards in 3 of his last 4 games last season and he averaged 56.4 per game. In the two games against the Vikings last year, he was held to just 30 in the first. Chicago ran 73 plays in that game but only ran it 22 times. In the second game against the Vikings, Swift carried 19 times for 79 yards.
