Vikings at Bears, Week 2: QB Questions Loom at Soldier Field

Kickoff, TV and venue

Matchup

Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Chicago Bears (1-0)

Date

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Kickoff

12:00 p.m. CDT (17:00 UTC)

Venue

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

TV

FOX

The game is a noon Central kickoff on FOX. For streaming and local viewing options, see our guide to where to watch Vikings vs. Bears. If you are making the trip, our Vikings vs. Bears tickets page covers the ticket basics.

Where the teams stand

Three of the four division teams won in Week 1, so Sunday’s winner will have an early edge in the division race. Full tables are on our NFC North standings page.

Chicago’s last five games, as listed by ESPN, show a team that has been scoring. Before the 59-point opener at Carolina, the Bears went 2-1 in the preseason: a 34-10 home win over Cleveland, a 27-9 loss at Cincinnati and a 24-15 win at Tennessee. Their 2025 season ended with a 20-17 overtime loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams on January 18, 2026.

Minnesota’s preseason was less encouraging: a 13-10 win at the New York Giants, then a 13-3 home loss to Baltimore and a 34-6 loss at Denver. The Vikings closed the 2025 regular season by beating Green Bay 16-3 on January 4, before beating the Packers again in the opener.

The quarterback situation

Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the first quarter of his Vikings debut. The day after the game, coach Kevin O’Connell described the hit as a “violent, physical play” but said he did not find it objectionable, ESPN reported. Right after the game, O’Connell said Murray seemed to be doing well but that there was no timetable for his return, according to the Associated Press.

As of Wednesday, September 16, ESPN’s injury report listed Murray as questionable with a concussion. The Vikings’ Week 2 starting quarterback has not been confirmed in the reports we reviewed, and this preview will not guess.

If Murray cannot play, the most recent evidence is Carson Wentz’s relief outing against Green Bay: 12 of 19 for 133 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 123.5 passer rating while leading 29 unanswered points. Before the opener, the Vikings named Wentz the No. 2 quarterback and J.J. McCarthy the No. 3, ESPN reported.

Jordan Mason goes on injured reserve

Running back Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday after having surgery to repair a fractured thumb, according to ESPN. Mason led Minnesota in rushing in Week 1 with 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Aaron Jones Sr. had 12 carries for 40 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. How the Vikings will split the carries without Mason has not been announced.

ESPN also lists tight end Ben Yurosek, center Michael Jurgens and linebacker Tyler Batty (knee) on injured reserve for Minnesota. For Chicago, safety Xavier Woods (groin), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (knee) and quarterback Tyson Bagent (back) were listed as questionable on September 15, while cornerback Kyler Gordon (calf) and defensive tackle Shemar Turner (knee) were listed as out on the physically unable to perform list. Follow our Vikings injury report for updates.

Key players

Chicago Bears

• Caleb Williams, QB: 21 of 29 for 269 yards and two touchdowns at Carolina.
• D’Andre Swift, RB: 18 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
• Kalif Raymond, WR: eight catches for 84 yards, the team lead.
• Dillon Thieneman, S: team-high 10 tackles; Kentavius Street led the Bears with one sack.

Minnesota Vikings

• Justin Jefferson, WR: eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, plus a two-point conversion.
• Andrew Van Ginkel, LB: 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
• Dallas Turner: one sack and seven quarterback hits.
• Byron Murphy Jr., CB: team-high eight tackles.

The betting line

As a snapshot taken on September 16, 2026, DraftKings’ line shown on ESPN had Chicago favored by 4.5 points, with a total (over/under) of 47.5. The moneyline was Bears -205 and Vikings +170, and Chicago was also the favorite when the line opened. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gave the Bears a 67.2% chance to win and the Vikings 32.6%.

Lines move during the week, especially while a starting quarterback’s status is unresolved, so check a current source before relying on these numbers. This is not betting advice. For more, see our predictions and odds page.

What to watch

Can the pass rush travel? Minnesota sacked Jordan Love four times and was credited with 15 quarterback hits in Week 1. Chicago’s Caleb Williams completed 21 of 29 passes in the opener, so the pressure will need to get home quickly.

Explosive plays allowed. Love still threw for 387 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown to Christian Watson. Against a Bears offense that scored 59 points, limiting big plays is the obvious test. ESPN’s Week 2 “Seven things Solak thinks” column framed it as whether Ben Johnson can solve Brian Flores’ Vikings defense.

The run game without Mason. The Vikings averaged 3.1 yards per carry on 34 rushes against Green Bay. With Mason out, watch how the carries are shared, and whether the defense can contain Swift after his three-touchdown day.

Discipline and third downs. Minnesota was penalized only three times against Green Bay and converted 8 of 15 third downs, while Green Bay was flagged 12 times, including four defensive penalties on the Vikings’ go-ahead drive. Repeating that on the road would help whoever starts at quarterback.

For the long view of the rivalry, visit our Vikings vs. Bears matchup hub, and revisit the Week 1 recap and player stats.