Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football Matchup Breakdown For Week 2

• Spread: Bears -6.5
• O/U: 46.5
• Score Prediction (from the Fantasy Life NFL Betting Model):  CHI 24, MIN 21

Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Preview

Anytime a team loses its starting QB after seven dropbacks and comes away with a win nonetheless, it earns a modicum of respect. And while there’s something to be said for a veteran understanding the assignment off the bench to funnel the ball to alpha Justin Jefferson (8-92-2), Minnesota’s underpinning macros scream “it’s a trap”. Through three quarters, the Vikes averaged just 3.6 yards/play on a ~35% success rate and -0.09 EPA/play. For reference, that’s the bottom of the barrel no matter how you slice it.

Run Game

As usual in fantasy, when it rains it pours. Injuries didn’t stop under center for MIN; when it was just announced that starting RB Jordan Mason damaged the ligaments in his thumb and will be placed on the short-term IR. Just like that, a viable RB2 goes out the window. Opportunities will certainly open up for Aaron Jones, but let’s be serious — can he handle a full NFL workload at this stage of his career?

For reference, Jones reached +19 total touches three separate times last year, averaging 12.6 fantasy points in those contests … without going over 16 once. So, given the lack of supply, we have no choice but to add or start Jones, depending on the situation — just know it doesn’t necessarily translate into a ceiling, especially with an aging, statue passer under center.

Pass Game

Jordan Addison feels like a classic buy-low candidate fresh off a 93% route participation rate, which yielded a goose egg, though only certain teams fit the bill. Not only will you need the trade capital, but also roster space plus the patience to wait for Kyler’s return. Not for everyone, but fortune favors the bold.

One thing's for sure ... if the Vikings do succeed in getting to the 21 points our Game Model predicts, the Bears defense is hands-down the one to target.

• Start: Justin Jefferson (WR6), Aaron Jones (RB22)
• Sit: T.J. Hockenson (TE19), Jauan Jennings (WR73)
• Sleeper: Jordan Addison (WR45)

Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview

Maybe I should’ve taken Ben Johnson at his word when it came to his chances at coaching the highest-scoring team in history. Chicago’s 59 points rank third in team history on a mind-blowing 552 yards. Whoa.

We’ve all seen the jokes online, but afford me just one more. With eight offensive trips into the paint and nearly 300 yards achieved through the air, our drafted players had to get home, right? Nope. Not … even … close. 

In fact, the only CHI pass catchers to eclipse +10 fantasy points were also the only ones without a proper ADP. Yes, if you had Kalif Raymond leading the way in Week 1, don’t forget to buy a lotto ticket on the way home today. Despite running just 22 routes on 38 dropbacks, Raymond led the WR/TE rooms in targets (9), catches (8), and yards (89). Tantalizing as a 40.9% target/route, 3.82 yards/route combo seems, on its face, count me among the small-sample non-believers.

The way I see it is basically, if you can buy low on Colston Loveland or Luther Burden at any sort of discount, do it now. Make sure not to mention my disappointment around the tandem of CHI running backs, who each topped +100 yards rushing and +20 fantasy points. Better late than never, Kyle Monangai’s immediately an elite handcuff. Please remind me to ignore preseason injury news next summer.

To think the Bears can go nuclear without either of their top two drafted fantasy assets even playing a factor is downright scary …

To that point, Johnson and the Bears may need to tap the entirety of the talent pool to make any waves against these Vikings. Few things are certain outside of death, taxes, and Brian Flores dialing pressure nonstop to heat up your QB in the pocket. Right on brand, MIN already leads the NFL in total pressures plus pressure rate, buoyed by an astronomical +52% blitz rate to date. 

• Start: Caleb Williams (QB7), Luther Burden (WR26), D’Andre Swift (RB18), Colston Loveland (ducks) (TE2)
• Sit: Kyle Monangai (RB33), Rome Odunze (WR37)

Next Week’s Bold Headlines, Today

• The clock strikes 12 on Carson Wentz’s magical run, even against the Bears’ turnstile approach to defending.
• Outside Justin Jefferson, the lone bright spot on the Vikings shines for rookie Demond Claiborne, who looks explosive between the tackles. Managers who added him heading into Week 2 are looking razor-sharp (wink).