Just one week into the 2026 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings are already reeling with their starting quarterback Kyler Murray sidelined by a concussion after a late hit on a scramble. They’re heading into the Windy City this Sunday for a massive NFC North showdown against the Chicago Bears, who just dropped a mind-blowing 59 points in Week 1. Talk about a brutal draw when you’re down your QB1!
Chicago’s 59-Point Attack: Unstoppable or Unbalanced?
Man, did the Bears come out swinging in Week 1 or what? They absolutely shredded Carolina in a 59-37 shootout win, putting up almost 60 points! Caleb Williams looked sharp, completing over 70% of his passes, racking up 334 total yards, and slinging two touchdowns while also running for two more. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai were beasts on the ground, combining for 28 carries, a ridiculous 224 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. Even Kalif Raymond, who led the team with eight catches for 84 yards, got in on the action. But let’s be real: giving up 37 points and 478 yards? That’s not exactly championship defense, even if they did force three turnovers. The Bears were the reigning division champs last year, hoping to make a deeper run, and while their turnover game is elite, they need to clamp down on those points and yards allowed if they wanna go all the way. Colston Loveland even got held without a reception in that offensive explosion, which is wild.
Kyler Murray’s Concussion Shifts Everything for Minnesota
For the Vikings, this Week 2 matchup feels like a gut punch even before kickoff. There was so much excitement around Kyler Murray finally being under center after their quarterback issues plagued them in 2025. But a late hit on a scramble means he’s out with a concussion this week. That’s a brutal blow against a division rival. The Vikings barely missed the postseason last year at 9-8, and they’re already facing an uphill climb. They did handle Green Bay with a 39-22 win, thanks to a huge 22-point fourth quarter, but doing that without Murray against a hot Bears team is a totally different beast. The Bears are favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under set at 48.5 points, and Chicago’s money line at -230. The SportsLine Projection Model, which is crushing it with a 53-39 run on top-rated picks since 2024, has to be factoring in Murray’s absence big time.
This Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in the Windy City is huge. Three NFC North teams are undefeated, and two of them are clashing. The Bears are looking to prove they’re still the kings of the division, and the Vikings are fighting to stay relevant early without their starting QB. Can Minnesota pull off the upset, or will Chicago’s offense keep rolling? It’s gonna be a must-watch to see how this NFC North shakes out early!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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