(104.3 The Score) The Bears (1-0) will host the Minnesota Vikings (1-0) on Sunday, with kickoff set for noon CT from Soldier Field.
Our 104.3 The Score pregame show with Gabe Ramirez, Olin Kreutz and Patrick Mannelly will begin at 9 a.m. and last until kickoff. Our postgame show will begin around 3 p.m., just after the final buzzer. Our Bears postgame show will be carried only on YouTube and Twitch as a Cubs broadcast will be on the radio airwaves and online stream. You can find our YouTube channel here and our Twitch channel here.
You can check out all of The Score’s preview coverage of the Bears-Vikings matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our Score hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (1-0): Bears 34, Vikings 28
Brian Flores’ defensive scheme will pose unique challenges for Caleb Williams but, in football, skill and strength ultimately prevail. And the Bears have a powerful offensive line, a versatile backfield, dangerous receivers and an elite quarterback. Flores may be smart, but it still comes down to execution. The Vikings also have questions at quarterback that make it hard to envision an upset.
Matt Spiegel (1-0): Bears 27, Vikings 20
Caleb Williams does just enough down the field, and Carson Wentz can’t do enough on the road to match him. 2-0 baby.
Chris Emma (1-0): Bears 30, Vikings 24
In Week 1, I nailed my prediction in selecting Bears 24, Panthers 21 – granted, that was early in the second quarter of the game. We have to recalibrate how to watch Bears games with so many points set to go on the scoreboard. Thirty could seem like a disappointment of sorts after the opener, but it’s enough for the Bears to get to 2-0.
Alex Kuhn (1-0): Bears 28, Vikings 21
I’m really interested to see if weather is a factor here for both offenses. The Vikings are likely going to give the Bears a lot of five-man fronts and exotic pressures to try to slow down the running game and keep Caleb Williams in the pocket. There will be opportunities for the Bears to exploit that, and Ben Johnson will likely have better answers for pressure than the last time these two teams matched up last year. The Bears defense can’t play any worse than it did last week. More than anything, containing Bears killer Aaron Jones and the Vikings’ running game will be the key for Chicago.
Tyler Buterbaugh (1-0): Bears 31, Vikings 27
Despite the Bears facing a tough Brian Flores defense, we know Ben Johnson will find any way possible to put up points in his quest to have the highest-scoring offense ever. I'd like to think the Chicago defense will better than last week. Jaylon Johnson has defended Justin Jefferson relatively well over the years, and I expect that rookies Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammed will continue to look like key pieces of the defense.
Tyler Ferengul (1-0): Bears 34, Vikings 27
Ben Johnson vs. Brian Flores is going to be a must-see chess match. I believe the Bears simply have too much firepower and will once again find a way to outscore their opponent. It won’t be a 59-point game, but it will be another productive outing for Caleb Williams and the Bears offense as they hold off the stingy Vikings at home to start the season 2-0.
Clint Clouse (1-0): Bears 34, Vikings 30
After putting up 59 points in Week 1, what can the Bears offense do for encore against a better defense that will put tons of pressure on Caleb Williams? This is a much greater challenge because Brain Flores' defenses can blitz you into oblivion. The winner of the chess match between Ben Johnson and Flores will be the winner of this game. I’m worried about the Bears defense in this one regardless of who plays quarterback for the Vikings after Chicago gave up a number of explosive plays in the passing game to Carolina last week. However, the Vikings got bailed out with a few calls that went their way in their win over the Packers in Week 1. The Bears need to limit their penalties, and I think the defense gets at least two takeaways to help set the offense up with good field position. I'm picking the Bears, but I'm nervous about this game.
Grant Lieder: Bears 28, Vikings 20
There’s a lot of speculation about whether Kyler Murray will play as he’s in the concussion protocol. Either way, I think the Bears have the firepower on offense to win this game. They might not score 59 points on Brian Flores’ defense, but it will be enough to win.
Jakob Stutz: Bears 41, Vikings 20
Our guy Brad Biggs shared that the Raiders hold the NFL record for most points scored in the first two weeks of a season (95 in 1968). I think the Bears will reach the 37 points they need to break it, but it won't all come from the offense. Facing the Vikings' messy quarterback situation, Dennis Allen's defense will bounce back this week with a touchdown of its own.
David Dykstra (1-0): Bears 24, Vikings 20
The Bears offense will struggle early and Chicago will be down at halftime before making adjustments that lead to a comeback win.
