Bears Stifle Vikings, Prevail 14-6 in Season Opener

CHICAGO (Sept. 8, 2025) - The Chicago Bears made a statement in Week 1, downing the Minnesota Vikings 14-6 at Soldier Field behind Caleb Williams’s first rushing touchdown of the season and a suffocating defense.

Nut Graf With new head coach Ben Johnson debuting on Monday Night Football, the Bears showcased a balanced attack and relentless pressure, while the Vikings struggled to generate offense in J.J. McCarthy’s first regular-season start, underscoring Chicago’s offseason momentum.

Early Lead Sets Tone

  • Opening Drive : Williams converted six of six passes for 51 yards and capped the march with a 9-yard touchdown scramble, bulldozing through Jeff Okudah for his first NFL rushing TD.
  • Defensive Dominance : Chicago held Minnesota to three-and-out on its first two possessions, registering two sacks and forcing a pair of punts.

Vikings’ Limited Response

  • Field Goals Only : Kicker Ryan Wright provided Minnesota’s only points with a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter and another from 28 yards in the third, as J.J. McCarthy failed to reach the end zone.
  • Offensive Struggles : The Vikings managed just 102 total passing yards, with Justin Jefferson held without a score and no drive advancing past Chicago’s 35-yard line.

Bears’ Second-Half Assurance

  • Balanced Attack : D’Andre Swift and Rome Odunze combined for 58 receiving yards, aiding a methodical second-half drive that Williams finished with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Odunze.
  • Turnover-Free Football : Chicago won the turnover battle and limited Minnesota to six first downs, sealing its first victory in prime time since 2023.

Implications and Next Steps

  • Bears : Improve to 1-0, earning Johnson an immediate signature win and boosting confidence in Williams’s sophomore campaign.
  • Vikings : Drop to 0-1 amid questions about McCarthy’s long-term efficiency and an inconsistent offense. Minnesota faces the Atlanta Falcons next on the road to rebound.

The Bears’ defense and Scheme under Johnson leave little doubt that Chicago’s renaissance may be underway, while Minnesota must regroup quickly after a subdued performance under the lights.