The first week of the NFL season closes with a compelling battle between NFC North foes.
The pregame narrative: The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears enter the 2025 campaign with major changes. Minnesota hopes it has a franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. Chicago, meanwhile, has faith that Ben Johnson is the right head coach for the 2024 first overall pick, Caleb Williams.
Check out my Vikings vs. Bears picks for the season opener on Sept. 8, featuring prop bets on Adam Thielen and Jordan Mason.
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Vikings vs. Bears picks
Best Bet: Bears moneyline (+100)
Has there been a more overhyped team this offseason than Minnesota?
Yes, the Vikings are coming off an impressive 14-3 season. No, this isn't the same team.
The team shipped quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason in favour of first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy won a national title with Michigan two years ago, and people seem to think he'll be a franchise guy from the jump.
I'm not so sure about that.
McCarthy hasn't played an actual football game since January 8, 2024. That's 610 days.
This isn't a great spot to be dropped into for your first NFL start.
McCarthy will be on the road in primetime against a Bears defence that allowed the 14th-fewest points per game (21.8) last season.
He also won't have a full complement of receivers at his disposal.
Jordan Addison is suspended, and offseason addition Rondale Moore is out for the season.
I'll bet on Caleb Williams taking a step forward in year two and fade Minnesota in a raucous road environment.
Key stat: Four of Chicago's five wins from last season came at home.
Monday Night Football prop picks
Thielen over 33.5 receiving yards (-117): Thielen just showed up, but he'll be thrust into a major role immediately.
Minnesota's receiver core is hurting. Justin Jefferson missed extensive time during training camp with a hamstring injury. He'll play, but it remains to be seen if the ailment will linger.
With Addison suspended and Moore out, Thielen will function as the No. 2 wide receiver.
The veteran continues to produce into the late stages of his career. Thielen averaged 60.3 receiving yards per game across his last two campaigns, topping this prop in 21 of 27 outings during this stretch.
Mason under 42.5 rushing yards (-117): This line seems a tad high for Mason.
The ex-San Francisco 49ers tailback was acquired via trade this offseason. He was in the midst of a breakout campaign with the Niners in 2024 before suffering a high-ankle sprain.
He'll be splitting a backfield with Aaron Jones in Minnesota, and I'm skeptical about his usage early on.
The Vikings need pass catchers, and Jones is clearly the better receiving back.
When healthy, Jones has always been an effective RB. I expect him to be leaned on heavily in this contest, which should limit Mason's snap count.
Vikings vs. Bears picks made at 3:31 p.m. ET 09/06/2025.
