by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, September 20, 2026
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Vikings +4.5, Bears -4.5; Over/Under: 47.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Vikings +4.5, Bears -4.5; Over/Under: 48 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Vikings +4.5, Bears -4.5; Over/Under: 48 points
Season Record
Minnesota Vikings: 1-0 (1st place, NFC North)
Chicago Bears: 1-0 (1st place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Vikings: won their last game at home against the Green Bay Packers 39-22.
Chicago Bears: won their last game on the road against the Carolina Panthers 59-37.
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Preview and Analysis
The Vikings are entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Green Bay Packers 39-22. Kyler Murray was the starting QB and he completed 3/5 passes for 18 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception before getting injured and replaced by Carson Wentz who completed 12/19 passes for 133 yards and 3 TDs. Jordan Mason led the team in rushing yards with 59 and 1 TD. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 92 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 2 TDs. Byron Murphy led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles while Andrew Van Ginkel led the defense in sacks with 1.5. James Pierre came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Bears are entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 0-0 in their home games, 1-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Carolina Panthers 59-37. Caleb Williams was the starting QB and he completed 21/29 passes for 269 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. D'Andre Swift led the team in rushing yards with 124 and 3 TDs. Kalif Raymond led the receivers with 84 receiving yards on 8 receptions. Dillon Thieneman led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles while Montez Sweat and Kentavius Street each led the defense in sacks with 1. Malik Muhammad came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Vikings vs Bears Prediction
The current betting odds have the Bears listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Bears have looked great in their games this season with their 1-0 record overall so far. They haven't played any home games yet and will be playing their home opener here. Meanwhile, the Vikings have looked good in their games this season with their 1-0 record overall so far. They haven't played any road games yet and will be playing their 1st road game of the season here. The Vikings are coming off a 39-22 win over the Packers in their last one and they were able to overcome losing Kyler Murray early in that game. Carson Wentz didn't look great taking over on offense, but he was able to do enough to keep the team in the game while the defense did the rest. The defense really won them that game, but the Packers also had a big collapse late which has been an issue for them going back to last season. That Vikings offense is still going to have trouble in this game with Wentz filling in now and they aren't going to be able to keep up with this Bears offense. The Bears are coming off a 59-37 win over the Panthers in their last one and they blew the Panthers out of the water. The Panthers were supposed to have an improved defense too, but that didn't matter as the Bears almost put up 60 points. The Bears look like they are going to have one of the best offenses in the NFL this year and that is going to be an issue for the Vikings. The Vikings do have a great defense to slow the Bears down with, but their offense won't be able to do enough to keep up and the Bears will be able to run away with this game at home. The best way to place a bet here is on the Bears to cover the spread in this game.
Vikings Bears Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, September 20, 2026 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Bears 31 Vikings 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota Vikings: 21-14 ATS in all games. 8-4 ATS versus division opponents. 5-1 ATS after a win by 14 or more points. 8-2 UNDER after playing a division game. 5-1 UNDER off a win against a division rival.
Chicago Bears: 16-26 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5. 34-52 ATS after scoring 30 points or more last game. 47-68 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better. 6-1 UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 6-2 UNDER after scoring 30 points or more last game.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Vikings: B. O'Neill (OT) Injured - Knee. B. Cashman (LB) Injured - Wrist. K. Murray (QB) Injured - Concussion. J. Jennings (WR) Injured - NRI. A. Van Ginkel (LB) Injured - Chest.
Chicago Bears: G. Jarrett (DL) Injured - Rest. X. Woods (CB) Injured - Groin. D. Swift (RB) Injured - Ankle. N. Gallimore (DL) Injured - Illness. D. Odeyingbo (DL) Injured - Shoulder. D. Wright (OG) Injured - Knee. K. Monangai (RB) Injured - Hamstring. O. Trapilo (OG) Injured - Knee. M. Muhammad II (CB) Injured - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
“That's why he's here. For him to come in and do what he did and just be part of that calming presence that allowed our team to continue playing, I can't say enough about him.” - Kevin O’Connell on Carson Wentz after his team’s win against the Packers in their last game.
“I could kind of tell (Saturday) night when we did our quarterback meeting one last time that he was just on top of it. Everything he was rattling out, like where my eyes need to be and what I’m thinking. So I went to bed and just slept really well.” - Ben Johnson after his team’s win against the Panthers in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Jennings, Jauan
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Wentz, Carson
RB Jones Sr., Aaron
FB Bredeson, Max
Chicago Bears
WR Odunze, Rome
WR Burden III, Luther
WR Raymond, Kalif
TE Loveland, Colston
QB Williams, Caleb
RB Swift, D'Andre
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: Carson Wentz (133)
Rushing: Jordan Mason (59)
Receiving: Justin Jefferson (92)
Touchdowns: Justin Jefferson (2)
Chicago Bears
Passing: Caleb Williams (269)
Rushing: D'Andre Swift (124)
Receiving: Kalif Raymond (84)
Touchdowns: D'Andre Swift (3)
Coaches:
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (5th season)
Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
