Picks for 9/8/25
NFL
8:15 PM EST
Rotation # 482
Bears +1.5 over Vikings (loss)
Bears/Vikings Over 43.5 (win)
Both teams want to get out of the gates with a win and, more importantly, a leg up in the division. Both teams have a few similarities, with their starting tackles returning from a year ago, and both upgrading the interior of their offensive lines. Both teams have reliable running backs and talented receivers enough to make them well-balanced, where the defense can’t overcompensate. The question mark for the Vikings is Quarterback JJ McCarthy, who missed last year with a right knee injury. Tonight’s game will be his first NFL appearance. McCarthy has a unique ability to read defenses well beyond his years. Time will tell how quickly that translates into NFL success. The question mark for the Bears is their new coaching staff. QB Caleb Williams is fresh off 17 starts last season. Williams isn’t yet a top-tier QB by any stretch, but he can use his legs, which is a massive advantage early in the season. Minnesota will be without safety Harrison Smith tonight. Minnesota is breaking in two new starters at cornerback and sporting a brand new defensive line. The Vikings lack depth in all three levels of defense, with more than a handful of backups who have never made a career tackle. Week one is more or less preseason action for most starters who didn’t play many snaps during the exhibition schedule, so conditioning becomes a significant factor. Chicago will be without a key linebacker tonight in T.J. Edwards. The other starting linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds, is no longer on the injury report but is nursing a soft tissue injury. The Bears have a few key injuries in their secondary. As for special teams, both teams have reliable kickers. Minnesota is breaking in two rookies at the return position, while the Bears brought Devin Duvernay from Jacksonville to return kicks. The Bears will look to open up the playbook for Williams under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and his tempo approach. JJ McCarty will have moments of greatness, but he is the youngest QB in the league. You tip your hat to him if he can get a road win in a hostile environment in his first NFL start under the brightest lights, but more often than not, we see costly mistakes in young players that equal scoring opportunities for the opponent. McCarty’s injury could also limit his mobility. I expect both teams to take advantage of injuries and depth issues on the defense. It’s a good spot to play the side and total. Take the Bears and the Over.
8:15 PM EST
Rotation # 482
Bears +1.5 over Vikings (loss)
Bears/Vikings Over 43.5 (win)
Both teams want to get out of the gates with a win and, more importantly, a leg up in the division. Both teams have a few similarities, with their starting tackles returning from a year ago, and both upgrading the interior of their offensive lines. Both teams have reliable running backs and talented receivers enough to make them well-balanced, where the defense can’t overcompensate. The question mark for the Vikings is Quarterback JJ McCarthy, who missed last year with a right knee injury. Tonight’s game will be his first NFL appearance. McCarthy has a unique ability to read defenses well beyond his years. Time will tell how quickly that translates into NFL success. The question mark for the Bears is their new coaching staff. QB Caleb Williams is fresh off 17 starts last season. Williams isn’t yet a top-tier QB by any stretch, but he can use his legs, which is a massive advantage early in the season. Minnesota will be without safety Harrison Smith tonight. Minnesota is breaking in two new starters at cornerback and sporting a brand new defensive line. The Vikings lack depth in all three levels of defense, with more than a handful of backups who have never made a career tackle. Week one is more or less preseason action for most starters who didn’t play many snaps during the exhibition schedule, so conditioning becomes a significant factor. Chicago will be without a key linebacker tonight in T.J. Edwards. The other starting linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds, is no longer on the injury report but is nursing a soft tissue injury. The Bears have a few key injuries in their secondary. As for special teams, both teams have reliable kickers. Minnesota is breaking in two rookies at the return position, while the Bears brought Devin Duvernay from Jacksonville to return kicks. The Bears will look to open up the playbook for Williams under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and his tempo approach. JJ McCarty will have moments of greatness, but he is the youngest QB in the league. You tip your hat to him if he can get a road win in a hostile environment in his first NFL start under the brightest lights, but more often than not, we see costly mistakes in young players that equal scoring opportunities for the opponent. McCarty’s injury could also limit his mobility. I expect both teams to take advantage of injuries and depth issues on the defense. It’s a good spot to play the side and total. Take the Bears and the Over.