Monday Night Football kicks off the 2025 season with a classic divisional battle between the Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) and Chicago Bears (+1.5). Both teams head into this primetime matchup looking to set the tone for the year, and a win for either side would go a long way in the NFC North standings.
There are plenty of storylines to choose from for this game, with the Vikings and Bears each making some significant changes during the offseason. Let’s take a closer look at both teams entering Week 1 and get ready for what should be an entertaining Monday Night Football matchup.
Team Overviews
Minnesota may be coming off a 14-win campaign, but the quarterback who led them to that record is gone. With Sam Darnold now playing for Seattle, the Vikings’ season rests on the shoulders of JJ McCarthy. The former first-round draft pick missed all of last year with a knee injury, but now has the chance to step in and make a real impact in purple and gold. With their other key players returning, this team has a real shot at winning a competitive NFC North if they can get solid play at quarterback.
The Bears are hoping to see some growth from second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, taking steps over the offseason to speed up his development. They bolstered a leaky offensive line that gave up an NFL-worst 68 sacks last season, adding guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman. Perhaps more importantly, they landed the NFL’s top head coaching candidate, former Lions OC Ben Johnson. With his offensive genius and Williams’ massive potential, the city of Chicago has high hopes for 2025.
Top Storylines
1. McCarthy Makes NFL Debut
Vikings fans have been waiting a long time to see JJ McCarthy under center in the NFL. Selected No. 10 overall in last year’s draft, the former Michigan passer looked good in the preseason before a meniscus tear put an end to his rookie campaign. That all changes on Monday night, with McCarthy taking the field for the first time in his NFL career.
2. Bears’ Offense Faces Stiff Test
After landing Ben Johnson as their new head coach, upgrading the offensive line and using a first-round draft pick on pass-catching tight end Colston Loveland, the Bears are hoping for better production from their offense this season. They’ll have to figure things out quickly, because Week 1’s matchup against the Vikings pits them against one of the league’s best defensive units.
3. Battle Begins for NFC North
With three of the four NFC North teams making the playoffs last season, it’s arguably the NFL’s deepest and most competitive division. These divisional games have a huge impact on the standings, so you can expect both of these teams to leave it all on the field Monday night. If either side has plans on surpassing the Lions and Packers for NFC North supremacy, a divisional win in Week 1 would be a huge step in the right direction.
Key Matchup
With Chicago bringing in Pro Bowl talent to upgrade the offensive line, it’s only fitting that the Bears start the season against an elite pass rush. The Vikings managed 49 sacks last year, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Minnesota’s defense has a knack for disguising blitzes and the team has some talented pass rushers in LBs Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathon Greenard.
If Chicago’s front line can give Williams a clean pocket and time to throw, this could be anyone’s game. If they can’t, it could be a long night for the Bears’ sophomore quarterback. Keep an eye on how this unit performs early in the game.
Betting Odds
- Minnesota Vikings -1.5
- Chicago Bears +1.5
- Total 43.5
Despite playing on the road, Minnesota enters this week’s matchup as slight favourites over the Bears. They may be starting an untested 22-year-old at quarterback, but they have all the other pieces in place on offense, including WR Justin Jefferson, RB Aaron Jones and TE TJ Hockenson.
It’s worth noting that Chicago managed an impressive 6-2 record against the spread as the home team last season. That was mostly a result of the Bears being able to keep games close, but you can be sure they’ll be looking for the outright win with all eyes on Monday Night Football.
The total for this game is currently set at 43.5. That’s a fairly low number for today’s pass-first NFL, so the oddsmakers must be expecting both defenses to hold their own in this NFC North showdown.
If you’re looking for some fun props, the line on Justin Jefferson’s total receiving yards is 78.5, which is quite a bit less than what we were seeing with Sam Darnold as his quarterback. He’s also +120 to score an anytime touchdown, providing some solid value for bettors.
On the Bears side, the total receiving yards for rookie TE Colston Loveland has been a popular play. The line is set at just 28.5 yards, but the Michigan product was just selected No. 10 overall and should be a big part of their offense this season.
Final Thoughts
With the NFC North expected to be tighter than ever, this game could make a significant impact on the divisional race right out of the gate. Two young quarterbacks step into the Monday Night Football spotlight, but only one can walk away with the win.
The Vikings want to prove that last year was no fluke, while the Bears are looking to finally take that next step and become a playoff contender. Regardless of the final score, this game should tell us a lot about the direction of both teams in 2025.