Vikings vs Bears NFL Week 1 MNF Picks

NFL Week 1 wraps up with a red-hot NFC North matchup on Monday Night Football, where JJ McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings visit Caleb Williams and the new-look Chicago Bears. Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM ET on ESPN with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call for MNF. With two exciting young quarterbacks and plenty of fresh faces, this divisional clash promises a thrilling finish to Week 1. Let’s break down our Vikings vs Bears best bets for MNF.

Vikings vs Bears NFL Week 1 MNF Predictions

Pick #1: Chicago Bears +1.5 (-110) over Minnesota Vikings Click Here to Bet

Pick #2: Over 43.5 (-110) Click Here to Bet

Pick #3: Rome Odunze (CHI) to score a touchdown (+185) Click Here to Bet

Pick #1: Bears +1.5 over Vikings (-110)

The Bears enter the 2025 season with something they haven’t had in years: real expectations. After an offseason that saw them add more firepower around Caleb Williams and bring in former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach, Chicago looks like a team ready to make serious noise in the NFC.

Caleb Williams enters Year 2 with more comfort and continuity – and more weapons, adding Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III in the draft. The offensive line has improved, Rome Odunze is looking like a future WR1 and DJ Moore remains the trusted go-to target. Add in a full offseason of Ben Johnson’s scheme (the same system that made Jared Goff a top-10 QB in Detroit) and the Bears' offense should be able to put up points consistently.

Minnesota, on the other hand, is coming off a 14-win season under head coach Kevin O’Connell, but is hitting the reset button at quarterback with second-year QB JJ McCarthy. McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season as a rookie after suffering a meniscus injury. So while his talent is undeniable, the NFL learning curve is real — especially on the road in primetime. He’s also operating without Jordan Addison for the first few weeks due to a suspension, while star wide receiver Justin Jefferson misses multiple weeks of practice with a hamstring injury.

Chicago’s defense is unlikely to be dominant, but it's good enough to pressure a young QB into mistakes — especially behind a revamped Minnesota offensive line that is still figuring things out. Home-field advantage and an aggressive Bears offense should give Chicago the edge in this matchup.

Pick #2: Over 43.5 (-110)

While both teams feature young QBs, that doesn’t mean this is going to be a defensive slog. Caleb Williams is expected to take a sizable leap in Year 2 and the Bears are giving him every opportunity to do so. They now boast a well-rounded receiving corps with Moore, Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus and tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, plus a stable backfield led by D’Andre Swift. Expect Ben Johnson to lean into a quick-tempo with an aggressive passing attack — especially early — to take advantage of Minnesota’s weak secondary.

Minnesota, even with a green QB in McCarthy, has talent on offense. Justin Jefferson will be on the field and T.J. Hockenson is one of the best pass-catching TEs in the league when healthy. Plus, they have two solid running backs in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Add in O’Connell’s offensive background and the Vikings are unlikely to play scared.

Defensively, neither team looks elite just yet. Chicago is improved but still untested in the secondary with Jaylon Johnson dealing with a groin injury, while Minnesota’s strength is in its front seven and putting pressure on the QB. Week 1 is also when defensive cohesion is typically at its lowest, so a few busted coverages or missed tackles could easily lead to points.

With the total sitting at 43.5, we like the over. Expect some early fireworks, a few broken plays and two young QBs looking to prove something under the lights. A 27-24 or 30-21 final score feels possible.

Pick #3: Rome Odunze (CHI) to score a touchdown (-110)

Odunze showed flashes of stardom in his rookie year and all signs point to a Year 2 breakout in Chicago. After finishing the 2024 season with over 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns, Odunze enters this season with a bigger role and growing chemistry with Caleb Williams. He’s no longer the new guy in the receiver room — he’s a core piece of this offense and the Bears know it.

In Ben Johnson’s scheme, Odunze fits perfectly. His route-running polish, physicality at the catch point and ability to win in traffic make him an ideal red-zone weapon. With defenses focusing on Moore and the rest of the playmakers, Odunze should find favorable matchups — especially against a young Vikings secondary that’s still developing.

He’s already proven he can separate and finish plays near the goal line, and in a game where the Bears are expected to move the ball well, Odunze is a strong candidate to find the end zone.

At +185, there’s solid value here. Don’t be surprised if Odunze opens his second season with six points on the board.