The People’s Prediction for Vikings at Bears

Dustin Baker |

Sep 7, 2025

Vikings Bears 2024. Cole Kmet and Ivan Pace Jr. — Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) runs after a catch against Minnesota Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Our tradition continues of polling the audience before Minnesota Vikings games.

The people’s prediction for Vikings at Bears has arrived, as eight Minnesota fans weigh in with their score picks for Week 1 at Soldier Field.

The Vikings take on the Chicago Bears on Monday night at Soldier Field, a Monday Night Football showdown for J.J. McCarthy’s first-ever game.

Fans are optimistic about Minnesota’s chances in Week 1, unanimously picking the purple team to prevail. These are the score details.

Vikings at Bears: The People Have Spoken

Here’s what the fans say for Monday Night Football.

Kevin O’Connell claps to crowd before Vikings preseason game vs. Texans. — Kevin O’Connell clapped toward the stands before kickoff on Aug 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings head coach acknowledged the home crowd’s energy as his team prepared to take the field for the preseason game against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Fans’ Individual Score Predictions

Vikings faithful were not afraid to pick Minnesota on the road for Week 1. Not scared one iota. The panel’s forecasts:

Last Year’s Standings from our Fan Panel

Here’s how the group fared last year altogether:

Ivan, the Czar: 14-4
Skol Tom: 13-5
Steve Berglund: 13-5
Eric Horstman: 13-5
Jens: 13-5
Chris: 13-5
Tadd: 11-7
Bruce Johnson: 10-8

Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams pose at Bears press conference after draft. — Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams posed for photographs during their introductory press conference on Apr 26, 2024, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The Chicago Bears’ first-round draft picks stood together as the franchise’s newest offensive duo following the NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports.

Eric Horstman was notably the only panelist to pick the Los Angeles Rams over the Vikings in the playoffs last season.

The Final Verdict as a Group

As a consensus, the panel has picked Minnesota to prevail in Week 1 — obviously.

Official Prediction from the People: Vikings Win, 26-18

Pundits’ Musings

ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, on the other hand, picked the Bears and wrote: “The opening Monday Night Football matchup looks like a banger, as the Vikings and the Bears — two of the hardest teams to forecast this season — meet in Chicago. A prime-time road divisional game for J.J. McCarthy’s first NFL start feels like a towering ask, and I’m surprised the Vikings are favored.”

“There will be no Jordan Addison in this game, and while LT Christian Darrisaw could play, I’m worried how effective he’ll be coming off of a torn ACL and MCL suffered in October. Meanwhile, it sounds like Bears CB Jaylon Johnson will be available, which is huge for the matchup with Justin Jefferson.”

Daunte Culpepper salutes Vikings fans during game at TCF Bank Stadium. — Daunte Culpepper saluted fans on Dec 20, 2010, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The former Minnesota quarterback appeared during the second quarter of the Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears, drawing cheers from the home crowd in his return to the Twin Cities. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Only one other Vikings quarterback has made his first-ever start in a Week 1 game: Daunte Culpepper in 2000, with Minnesota somewhat ironically downing the Bears that season at the Metrodome.

Solak continued, “I love the matchup for the Bears offense, as new head coach Ben Johnson has familiarity with Vikings DC Brian Flores, having faced him four times as the offensive coordinator of the Lions. The Lions had 31, 31, 30 and 30 points in those four games, respectively, and while Caleb Williams might be more volatile than Jared Goff was, he certainly has the talent to beat this tricky defense (one of the best games of his rookie season came in Week 12 against Minnesota).”

“Bears over 21.5 total points is a fine alternative angle if you’re not fading the early McCarthy games, which is a fair take, considering Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been so good scheming around quarterbacks the past few years. I also like Colston Loveland over 2.5 receptions (-170) in a big way.”

Cole Kmet tackled by Josh Metellus during Vikings-Bears game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Cole Kmet was brought down by Josh Metellus late in the game on Nov 27, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Chicago tight end, wearing number 85, was tackled by the MIN safety during fourth-quarter action in the NFC North rivalry matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz rolled with Minnesota and explained: “I can’t wait for this one. Obviously, all eyes will be on J.J. McCarthy, but there are so many other intriguing things to watch. Can the Vikings finally figure out an efficient run game after upgrading their offensive line and bringing in Jordan Mason? Does Ben Johnson still have Brian Flores’ number now that he doesn’t have the Lions’ offensive weapons?

“If you want to get more niche, is Vikings undrafted rookie Myles Price ready for the spotlight in the return game? I’m expecting some ups and downs from McCarthy and a strong performance from Flores’ defense against Caleb Williams and company, which should lead to a fairly low-scoring affair. Kevin O’Connell is 26-10 in one-score games as the Vikings’ head coach, so give me his team over the one led by a first-time head coach.”

Before the start of Week 1, Minnesota is favored in the first five games of the regular season — believe it or not.

Also Read:Vikings Evidently Have a New Coach

By Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker