Week 1 MNF Fantasy Football Preview : MIN @ CHI

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  • By Jon Mosales

    Last Updated on September 8, 2025 12:38 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: September 8, 2025

    MNF -Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

    Point spread: Vikings -1 | Bears +1

    Moneyline: Vikings -120 | Chargers +105

    Total: Over 44.5 | Under 44.5

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    Overview:

    After a SNF classic we have a great division battle between one team on the upswing and another trying to replicate the magic of last season.  The Vikings were great on both sides of the ball last season, but gone is Sam Darnold and his 40+ TDs and under center is “rookie” JJ McCarthy who has yet to throw a ball in a real NFL game.  MIN will be without Jordan Addison for this one and expect Justin Jefferson to be involved early and often.  We haven’t seen many great WR performances from the elite group so far, so JJ will look to solidify his place as the WR1.  CHI may or may not have left cornerback Jaylon Johnson who has been rehabbing a groin injury and his absence would certainly open up the field for Jefferson.  On the other side of the ball, MIN tied for the NFL lead with 33 takeaways in 2024 and ranked fifth in points allowed per game behind a hyper-aggressive blitzing strategy led by Brian Flores.  That will be the deciding factor as Bears QB Caleb Johnson was sacked more than any QB in the league last season, but with a bolstered o-line and new HC, one would expect the Bears to be prepared to get the ball out quick and take advantage when MIN sends the house.  It’s a classic chess match and CHI is certainly up for it on paper with DJ Moore and sophomore Rome Odunze about to make the leap.  Flores is one of the best defensive minds in the game and is great at doing less with more, but I do think CHI will be prepared and up to the task.  The only worry is how quickly can Williams pick up the new offensive system as we’ve seen there are almost always learning curves and bumps along the way.

    Quarterbacks:

    Both QBs are pretty green respectively, but Caleb Williams has the clear advantage after playing a season even if he was under siege the whole time.  Williams has shown a willingness to run and with weapons across the board and a below-average run-game, expect the ball to be in his hands a lot.  He had issues holding onto the ball too long last season and if he does that vs. MIN, he will be eating grass.  Williams is the clear start over McCarthy if for some reason you drafted both, but this is a great test to see how much better the CHI o-line has gotten and how much he has grasped of Ben Johnson’s new system.  McCarthy is an open book and no one knows what he’s capable of yet.  He is a sneaky rusher and should be able to extend some drives, but he has one of the best supporting casts in the NFL.  The Bears’ secondary is pretty thin and if he can find Jefferson in space, it will go along way towards him having a viable fantasy night.  You never want to start a “rookie” QB on the road, but the MIN track record of propping up QBs is beyond reproach.  Both QBs have plenty of upside, but this isn’t the week to roll the dice.

     

    Running Backs:

    D’Andre Swift is the default RB1 on CHI, but everyone know he fell out of favor with Ben Johnson in DET and while he was the RB21 in fantasy points per game last season, MIN is among the best at stopping the run.  With a blitz heavy approach, expect Swift to see stacked boxes, but they won’t be after him.  If Swift is going to have success, it will be in the passing game, where was the 10th in receiving yards a season ago.  There isn’t much competition behind him, but rookie Kyle Monangai is a deep-league sleeper if Swift is unable to move the chains.  I wouldn’t start Swift in this game if I could help it, but mostly because MIN is so stout vs. the run.  On the other side of the ball, Aaron Jones is going to see if he has anything left in the tank.  He amassed a career-high 306 touches with 1,546 total yards and an RB20 finish in fantasy points per game last season and everything is telling me to fade him this season, but maybe not in this game.  Chicago allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game and they will look to run the ball behind an elite o-line to take the pressure of McCarthy.  The RB on MIN I want is Jordan Mason who was among the most explosive backs in the league before he got hurt.  It’s only a matter of time before he takes over for Jones due to age, injury or decline, but trust me, it’s coming.  For now, expect them to split carries and alternate drives and in Week 1, Jones has the advantage, but that could change overnight.

     

    Wide Receivers: 


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    September 8, 2025, 12:00 pm