Overview

• Week 1 Monday Night Football kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET at Soldier Field with Minnesota visiting Chicago in an NFC North opener.
• J.J. McCarthy makes his first career start for the Vikings, who feature Justin Jefferson and newly added Adam Thielen with Jordan Addison suspended and Jalen Nailor managing a hand issue.
• Chicago opens under head coach Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams, backed by new interior linemen Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to bolster protection.
• Defensive intrigue centers on new Bears coordinator Dennis Allen and a unit boosted by Montez Sweat against Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy Vikings defense.
• Oddsmakers list Minnesota around a 1.5-point favorite on FanDuel, and several previews lean to the under, citing expectations for a tight, defense-influenced game.