The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings meet Sunday, September 20, at Soldier Field in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. Both teams enter at 1-0 after impressive opening-week victories, although they reached that point in very different ways.
Chicago defeated the Carolina Panthers 59-37 in a game that set a franchise record for points in a season opener and produced 552 total yards. Minnesota rallied from a 12-point deficit against the Green Bay Packers and finished with a 39-22 victory after scoring 29 unanswered points in the second half.
The matchup also brings together two teams that scored at least 35 points in Week 1. The Bears scored 59 and the Vikings scored 39 for a combined 98 points, the most in NFL history by teams that then meet in Week 2.
Game context
Chicago will play its first home game of the season after an explosive offensive performance in Carolina. The Bears produced 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, while Caleb Williams generated 334 total yards and four touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
Minnesota enters after a comeback against Green Bay. The Vikings trailed 22-10 in the third quarter, but their defense created two turnovers that helped change the game. Minnesota then scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.
The game also features an important quarterback change for Minnesota. Kyler Murray has been ruled out after suffering a concussion in the opener, so Carson Wentz will start against Chicago.
Chicago Bears situation
Chicago opened the season with a 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Caleb Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
The rushing attack was particularly productive. D'Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, while Kyle Monangai added 100 yards and one touchdown on just 10 attempts. The Bears finished with 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
The offense finished with 552 total yards and eight touchdowns. Kalif Raymond led the team with eight receptions for 84 yards, while Cole Kmet also caught a touchdown pass.
Chicago's defense, however, allowed 478 yards and 37 points against Carolina. Minnesota presents a different challenge with Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and an offense that demonstrated its ability to capitalize on turnovers during the opening week.
Minnesota Vikings situation
Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers 39-22 after allowing its opponent to build a 22-10 lead. The Vikings responded with 29 unanswered points and finished the game with a defensive performance that produced two turnovers.
Carson Wentz took over after Kyler Murray left the game in the first quarter. Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, finishing with a 123.5 passer rating.
Justin Jefferson was one of the main contributors. He finished with eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a 39-yard touchdown reception and a nine-yard score during the fourth-quarter comeback.
Jordan Mason also played an important role in Week 1 with 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, but he has since been placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a fractured right thumb. He will miss at least four games.
Players and factors to watch
Caleb Williams faces a different test after his production against Carolina. The quarterback will go against a Minnesota defense coordinated by Brian Flores that recorded four sacks of Jordan Love in Week 1 and forced two turnovers during the comeback.
Chicago's rushing attack will also be important. Swift and Monangai combined for 224 rushing yards against Carolina, and the Bears will look to maintain that production against a Vikings defense that allowed only 107 rushing yards to Green Bay.
For Minnesota, Carson Wentz will make his first start of the season after entering as a replacement for Murray. His experience will be important as he faces a Chicago defense that allowed 37 points in its opener.
Justin Jefferson is another central player in the matchup. His eight catches and two touchdowns against Green Bay made him one of Minnesota's primary offensive weapons. T.J. Hockenson also scored in Week 1 and could become an important option if Chicago gives additional attention to Jefferson.
Dallas Turner also had a strong performance for Minnesota against Green Bay, recording seven quarterback hits and a sack. His matchup against Chicago's offensive line will be another factor to watch.
Injuries to know
Minnesota has two confirmed absences. Kyler Murray is out with a concussion, while Jauan Jennings will miss the game because of a personal matter. Carson Wentz will start at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy serving as the backup.
Brian O'Neill is listed as questionable because of a knee injury. The offensive tackle participated on a limited basis in Friday's practice.
Jordan Mason is also unavailable after being placed on injured reserve with a fractured right thumb. Minnesota added DeeJay Dallas and Jerome Ford to strengthen its running back group.
Chicago has no players with an official game-status designation for this matchup. Several players appeared on the injury report during the week, but all participated fully in Friday's practice.
Head-to-head history
The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings have met 130 times in the regular season, with Minnesota holding the historical advantage. The series includes 69 Vikings victories, 59 Bears victories and two ties, while each franchise has one postseason victory in their only playoff meeting.
The most recent meeting took place on November 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Chicago won 19-17 and snapped a three-game Minnesota winning streak in the series.
The teams also met at Soldier Field during Week 1 of the 2025 season. Minnesota won that game 27-24.
Sunday's matchup will be the 131st meeting between the franchises and another chapter in one of the NFC North's longest-running divisional rivalries.
Final preview
Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings enter Week 2 with 1-0 records after producing major offensive performances in their respective openers. Chicago totaled 552 yards and 59 points against Carolina, while Minnesota rallied from a 12-point deficit to defeat Green Bay.
The quarterback change will be one of the main storylines for Minnesota. Carson Wentz will start in place of Kyler Murray and will look to maintain the efficiency he showed while leading the Vikings' comeback in Week 1.
Chicago, meanwhile, will look to determine whether its rushing production can continue against a Minnesota defense that demonstrated the ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers.
The game also features two head coaches in their second seasons with their respective teams: Ben Johnson in Chicago and Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. With both teams starting 1-0, the result will have an early impact on the NFC North race.
Game details
- Matchup: Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings
- Season: 2026 NFL season
- Week: 2
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Home team: Chicago Bears
- Away team: Minnesota Vikings
- Stadium: Soldier Field
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Kickoff: 10:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET
- U.S. TV: FOX
- U.S. streaming: NFL+ (local games on supported mobile devices) and NFL Sunday Ticket (out-of-market)