SecondGM
Loading your leagues…
Vikings
Away—–—
Bears
HomeUpcoming20 Sept, 18:00 BSTSoldier Field
Game details
20 Sept, 18:00 BST
Soldier Field
Week 2 / Game Preview
A volatile passing matchup frames Vikings at Bears
Chicago’s efficient opening performance meets a Minnesota defense that has already yielded production through the air, while Minnesota’s offense leans heavily on its premier receiver.
01 / The takeaway
Jefferson owns Minnesota’s offensive opportunity
Justin Jefferson commanded a 39.13% target share and a 45.45% air-yards share in the opener, leaving him as Minnesota’s clear offensive fulcrum. Justin Jefferson also drew 3 red-zone targets, and he faces a Chicago matchup that has allowed 213 receiving yards to opposing wide receivers.
Justin Jefferson39.13%Tgt%
Justin Jefferson45.45%Air%
Justin Jefferson3RZ Tgt
02 / The takeaway
Williams has an efficiency edge, but pressure matters
Caleb Williams produced a 72.41% completion rate, a 16.58% completion percentage above expectation, and 0.6 EPA per play in his opening start. Caleb Williams faces a Minnesota defense with an 8.7% sack rate against opposing quarterbacks, even though that defense has allowed 387 passing yards.
Caleb Williams72.41%Completion rate
Caleb Williams16.58%CPOE
Caleb Williams0.6EPA/DB
Jefferson’s matchup is the Vikings’ best lever
Justin Jefferson was productive as well as featured, posting 3.07 yards per route run and 1.39 EPA per target. His 79.5 receiving-yard line asks for a sizable result, but Justin Jefferson’s workload already supports a central role against Chicago. T.J. Hockenson provides a short-area complement after earning a 21.74% target share and 2 red-zone targets.
Justin Jefferson3.07YPRR
Justin Jefferson1.39EPA/Tgt
Justin Jefferson79.5Rec yds line
Chicago’s receiving hierarchy has early surprises
Kalif Raymond led Chicago with a 34.62% target share and delivered 3.82 yards per route run, despite his 23.5 receiving-yard line. Luther Burden III is questionable, but Luther Burden III still ran 27 routes and saw a 19.23% target share in the opener. Rome Odunze operated on a more downfield profile, with a 28.21% air-yards share, and Rome Odunze faces a defense that has allowed 272 receiving yards to opposing wide receivers.
Kalif Raymond34.62%Tgt%
Kalif Raymond3.82YPRR
Kalif Raymond23.5Rec yds line
Swift has the volume, Minnesota has the resistance
D’Andre Swift handled a 64.29% carry share, including 6 red-zone carries and 3 goal-line carries, giving Chicago a clear rushing foundation. D’Andre Swift was also efficient at 6.89 yards per carry and 0.51 EPA per carry. The counterweight is difficult: D’Andre Swift faces a Minnesota defense that has allowed -0.43 EPA per designed run and 66 rushing yards to opposing running backs, while his rushing line sits at 61 yards.
D'Andre Swift64.29%Car%
D'Andre Swift6RZ Car
D'Andre Swift3
Sources & methodology
AI analysis of the player usage, efficiency and matchup data available before kickoff. Early-season samples are limited; missing data is not treated as zero. This preview remains separate from the postgame review.
- NFL team depth charts via nflverse
- Betting markets and kickoff weather
- NFL player statistics via nflverse
Data checked 19 Sept 2026, 12:37 UK time. Individual sources can update at different times.