The Vikings’ Season Could Hinge on the Opener
It might only be the first of 17 games, but the Vikings’ season opener could be season-defining. We will get our first look at the new Vikings team, which has undergone significant changes that should impact the team’s play on both sides of the ball. The fact that it is happening in primetime against a divisional opponent only adds more importance to the game.
The Vikings face the Bears in their season opener, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Here’s why this Week 1 clash could set the tone for 2025.
The NFL North promises to be the strongest division in the NFL this year, with all four teams harboring aspirations of playoff football in January. Starting the season on the road against the team that finished at the bottom of the division is an interesting way to start.
Vikings at Bears Out of the Gate Is a Big Damn Deal
Road games in the division are generally tough days at the office, but the Vikings have won on their last three visits to Soldier Field – winning 7 of the previous eight games played home or away. Minnesota’s recent good run has seen them extend their all-time win-loss record over Chicago to 68-58-2.
The Bears have turned to former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to turn their fortunes around. Johnson played a significant role in the Lions’ recent success, where dominance over the Vikings was a key factor.
Can Johnson’s offense have the same success in Chicago as it has against the Vikings in the last three seasons? That will be a key part of this game. The Vikings will hope that Brian Flores will have his defense ready and be a step ahead of the Bears’ offense, which will be employing Johnson’s offense for the first time in a meaningful game.
Should the Vikings lose and drop a game to the Bears this early, it will be an uphill battle to get back on track. Although not impossible, the Vikings’ difficult schedule this season makes the task quickly daunting. On the flip side, a win in the division on the road, followed by a winnable home game against the Atlanta Falcons, and things can look very rosy. A 2-0 start would breed confidence, particularly around the Vikings’ young quarterback.
A New Style of Play
Minnesota has been a pass-heavy offense since Kevin O’Connell took charge. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Adam Thielen, and TJ Hockenson out there, I don’t expect the Vikings to abandon the passing game.
However, with an inexperienced QB at the helm, the run game is going to be more important than ever. With a new beefed-up offensive line and the addition of Jordan Mason to Aaron Jones, the Vikings should be able to run the ball more effectively than in recent seasons and take the pressure off JJ McCarthy.
If the Vikings can have him play similarly to the way he did in college at Michigan, and ride a good ground game and make big plays at critical times, it will be a recipe for success.
The Emphasis in the trenches during the offseason has been on both sides of the ball. The interior of both lines has been a problem in Minnesota in recent seasons. On the defensive side, this has led Coach Flores to employ exotic blitzes heavily to make his defense effective. When it’s worked, he has tied opposing QBs and OCs up in knots, and it’s been a joy to watch.
However, there have been times when a good/experienced QB/OC has been able to read and get past the blitz, leaving the Vikings defense looking all at sea.
Johnson and Jared Goff are the most notable examples, having beaten the Vikings in all four games since Flores became the DC. The additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave should mean the Vikings’ front four should be able to get pressure on the QB more consistently without having to blitz so often. That will be a big change for the Minnesota defense, and it will then be up to the other guys to hold up on the back end.
Monday night will be defining on two fronts. Short-term and long-term. A result that could swing the season’s outcome even at this early stage, and an indication of whether the moves made to seemingly give the Vikings a new style of play are working. It promises to be a big night in Chicago.
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