“We haven’t put up any points this week,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday.
That’s the mentality you want from your head coach, right? Fifty-nine points, schmifty-nine points. What happened in Carolina last week doesn’t matter come Sunday in Chicago.
Let’s dive into Week 2.
WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS
Adam Hoge (1-0) — Bears 31, Vikings 16
Putting up another 50-burger might be tough with the rain that is expected at Soldier Field Sunday, but I do expect the offensive momentum to continue. Ben Johnson is 5-1 against Brian Flores as a playcaller and the Bears simply have better players than the Vikings in that matchup.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears have plenty to fix on defense, but the Vikings weren’t nearly as impressive as the scoreboard indicated last week. As long as the Bears don’t turn the ball over, they should cruise to victory Sunday.
Adam Jahns (1-0) — Bears 31, Vikings 23
Brian Flores will throw everything and the kitchen sink at Caleb Williams. Or maybe he won’t. It’s what he does. You just don’t know. But the Bears have more than enough on offense to still take command. This feels like a close game that Williams and Ben Johnson will break open. And I don’t think the Vikings are built to play catch-up.
Mark Carman (0-1) — Bears 34, Vikings 18
The defense finds its footing against Carson Wentz and the offense continues to roll. 2-0.
Patrick Norton (1-0) — Bears 35, Vikings 17
Carson Wentz strikes me as the type of quarterback who’s better off in a pinch when a defense doesn’t have a chance to prepare for him to dink and dunk ‘em to death. Seems like a good opportunity for the Bears’ defense to figure some things out.
Greg Braggs Jr (1-0) — Bears 30, Vikings 17
I think the first half will feature both Ben Johnson and Brian Flores taking a safer wait-and-see approach in the ultimate chess match before eventually unleashing the fireworks on one another. Expect this game to start slow but end fast! And luckily for the Bears, they have some thoroughbreds.
Stephen Nicholas (1-0) — Bears 34, Vikings 17
I’m not scared of Brian Flores! There I said it! The Vikings defense was nearly 50 yards per game worse on the road last season. Enter a Bears team that’s hunting explosives, and I see the potential for another 30-plus point showing for the offense.
Can the defense hold? Well, things get a lot easier with Jordan Mason hitting the IR and the possibility of Kyler Murray being unavailable with a concussion. The D-Line could have their chance to get home on a QB in Carson Wentz that was once sacked 50 times in just 12 games back in 2020. Bears make a statement.
Joey Christopoulos (1-0) — Bears 37, Vikings 24
Watching a Ben Johnson offense is like watching your buddy play NBA Jam when he’s starting to heat up. Ben vs. the blitz will be a fascinating game of cat-and-mouse but the Bears’ point-total predictions start at 35 until shown otherwise. Boomshakalaka.
Corey Wootton (1-0) — Bears 34, Vikings 27
Look for Caleb Williams and this high-powered offense to go big again. Luther Burden III has a monster game. Defense continues to struggle with pass rush and coverage. Luckily, the offense puts up points again!
