Featured Match-up: Minnesota Vikings (-1.5 -111/43.5) vs. Chicago Bears
Time: 8:15 pm ET / 5:15 pm PT
Television: ABC, ESPN, NFL+, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Unlimited
I question if Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy are each ready for primetime. Williams wasn’t last year as a rookie. But like it or not, these are the quarterbacks we have for Monday Night Football.
Williams was highly disappointing last season. McCarthy is untested and has game manager written all over him.
Maybe offensive guru Ben Johnson can elevate Williams. I don’t see it happening this early, though, against a tough Vikings defense that gave up the fifth-fewest points – less than 20 per game – and had the second-most sacks in the NFC last season.
The Vikings aren’t asking McCarthy to shoulder most of the load. They are going to be run heavy with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Minnesota is going to be conservative with McCarthy especially in his first NFL start, which happens to be on national TV at a tough division road venue.
Johnson’s hiring drew all the off-season publicity, but the Bears made another significant hire bringing in well-respected Dennis Allen to be their defensive coordinator. Allen wasn’t much of a head coach. He is an elite defensive coordinator, however. The Saints’ defense ranked in the top five against the run each year from 2018-21 when Allen was there.
Chicago’s defense ranked 13th in fewest points allowed at 21.8 last season. The Bears run defense should be more stout with the additions of Allen and former Falcons nose guard Grady Jarrett.
Unders were the way to go in this opening week with 12 of the 15 games going below the total. I see this one following that Under pattern.
Pick: Under 43.5 -110
