5 burning questions facing the Vikings ahead of much-needed win vs. Bears

The Minnesota Vikings survived a wild Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but another NFC North test is already waiting. Chicago also enters Week 2 at 1-0 after hanging 59 points on Carolina.

Calling any September game a literal must-win would be excessive, but a victory would put Minnesota at 2-0 overall and, more importantly, 2-0 inside the division while handing the Bears their first loss.

With quarterback uncertainty, a key injury in the backfield, and a Chicago offense coming off an explosive opener, Minnesota has plenty to figure out before Sunday.

Burning Minnesota Vikings questions heading into Week 2 against the Chicago Bears

Can Carson Wentz deliver again?

Kyler Murray was officially ruled out on Friday for this weekend's game after suffering a concussion 11 snaps into his Vikings debut last week, which means Carson Wentz will make his first start of the season for Minnesota on Sunday.

Last week, Wentz was more than capable in relief against Green Bay, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

But entering a game as the backup is different from preparing all week as the starter, especially on the road against a division rival.

Minnesota doesn't necessarily need Wentz to be spectacular. It needs him to protect the football, keep Justin Jefferson involved, and prove his Week 1 performance wasn't just a one-quarter surge.

How will the Vikings replace Jordan Mason?

Minnesota's backfield took a significant hit when Jordan Mason landed on injured reserve with a thumb injury on Wednesday.

Mason led the Vikings with 59 rushing yards against Green Bay and scored during their fourth-quarter comeback, so his absence puts more responsibility on Aaron Jones. The Vikings have added reinforcements, but replacing Mason's physical running style is easier said than done.

Minnesota can't afford to become one-dimensional after averaging only 3.9 yards per play in its Week 1 win, and Kevin O'Connell can't afford to abandon the run and make whoever starts at quarterback carry the offense against Chicago.

Can Brian Flores find an answer for the Bears' explosive rushing attack?

The Bears didn't just run the ball well against Carolina -- they steamrolled the Panthers. Chicago piled up 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, with D'Andre Swift going for 124 yards and three scores, while Kyle Monangai added 100 yards. Caleb Williams added another 65 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Brian Flores blitzed Green Bay at an outrageous rate in Week 1. Pro Football Focus's Week 1 blitz rates had Minnesota at a league-high 82.1 percent (55 of 67 plays), but Chicago's combination of misdirection, quarterback mobility, and multiple capable runners creates a different challenge.

Minnesota has to stay disciplined because one bad fit or overaggressive pursuit could turn into exactly the kind of explosive run Chicago repeatedly produced in its opener.

Can the Vikings avoid digging themselves another early hole?

The 17-point margin hides how much trouble Minnesota was in as the Vikings fell behind 22-10 during the third quarter before everything changed. Murray threw an interception on his first pass attempt; the offense struggled to sustain drives, and Green Bay controlled significant portions of the game.

Minnesota deserves credit for responding with 29 unanswered points, but relying on furious comebacks isn't a formula for success. Chicago just scored at least 14 points in every quarter against Carolina.

Falling behind that offense at Soldier Field could create a much different problem. The Vikings could benefit from a faster start rather than another dramatic finish.

Can Minnesota take advantage of Chicago's shaky defense?

Chicago's 59-point explosion understandably received most of the attention after Week 1, but the other side of the score shouldn't be ignored. The Bears surrendered 37 points and 478 total yards to Carolina, including 361 passing yards and three touchdowns from Bryce Young.

That's an inviting matchup for a Vikings offense featuring Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and plenty of receiving talent.

Minnesota produced only 239 total yards against Green Bay, so they have plenty of room for improvement. If Chicago turns Sunday's game into another shootout, the Vikings may have to prove their offense can keep pace.

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