Ali Siddiqui’s Prediction for Vikings-Bears in Week 2

For the second consecutive week the Minnesota Vikings will be facing an NFC North foe.

They won 39-22 last week over the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. This Sunday they will be facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Chicago won 59-37 on the road against the Carolina Panthers last week.

Predicting the Vikings and Bears in W2

Minnesota leads the all-time series 69-59-2, including winning eight out of the past ten meetings.

These two teams last faced each other in the Windy City during Week 1 of last season.

J.J. McCarthy in his Vikings (and NFL) debut went 13/20 for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also rushed for a touchdown. Jordan Mason rushed for 68 yards on 15 carries. Justin Jefferson caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Minnesota won 27-24 after trailing 17-6.

Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence in his young quarterback. “You are going to bring us back to win this game,” O’Connell said he told McCarthy.

After the thrilling win, many were excited about McCarthy and felt he just may end up being the Vikings’ guy for years to come. Well, a lot has changed since. McCarthy missed a total of seven games the rest of the season due to multiple different injuries and was inconsistent. He started this season as the third quarterback.

On defense, Josh Metellus had a team-high six tackles. Javon Hargrave recorded each of the team’s two sacks.

For Chicago, Caleb Williams went 21/35 for 210 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Rome Odunze caught six passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. D.J. Moore caught three passes for 68 yards.

On defense, Noah Sewell recorded a game-high nine tackles. Nahshon Wright returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown.

The Vikings finished the season at 9-8 and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons. Chicago won the division at 11-6 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs where they fell to the Los Angeles Rams at home. The previous week they defeated Green Bay at home, making it their first playoff win since 2010.

Minnesota has won six in a row at Soldier Field, but this game will not be an easy one to win by any means. They do have a chance, but it will be tough.

Both teams have a good shot at winning the division and while it is only Week 2, the winner of this game could very possibly be the division winner at the end of the season. This will be a very good test for Minnesota’s defense. Chicago’s offense did great last week and should be good the rest of the way. They have plenty of weapons. Their defense though really struggled at Carolina and will be facing a good Minnesota offense.

Carson Wentz looked good last week after Kyler Murray left the game in the first quarter due to concussion.

Murray has been limited in practice this week. It would be best to let him recover for another week and let Wentz start. After this week they should go back to Murray given he was originally named the Week 1 starter and see what happens after that.

This will be a good early test for both teams.

Prediction: Bears win 24-17.

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