The Minnesota Vikings started the season off with a thrilling 39-22 win over the Green Bay Packers. Despite Kyler Murray getting knocked out of the game with a concussion, the Vikings rallied from a 12-point deficit and scored 29 unanswered points for the win.
Quarterback Carson Wentz stepped in for relief and played well, with plenty of help coming from receiver Justin Jefferson. In Week 1, Jefferson finished with team highs in catches (8), receiving yards (92), and receiving touchdowns (2).
After a frustrating 2025 season, Jefferson wants his normal self back, and with the Bears' putrid secondary next on the list, he can help make Wentz's case for the starting QB spot.
Carson Wentz has a prime matchup against the Chicago Bears’ vulnerable secondary
While Murray was brought in and won the QB battle, his Vikings tenure didn't get off on the right foot. He threw an interception on his first pass, then got hurt two series later. That forced Wentz into the lineup. Even though Wentz didn't light it up on the stat sheet (12-of-19 for 133 yards), he still threw three touchdowns and led the Vikings to an impressive victory.
Division games are always important, and with Chicago next on the list, Wentz has a path to a solid outing, with Jefferson playing a major role.
In Chicago's win over the Panthers, they gave up 37 points and 478 total yards of offense. The Bears have clear weaknesses in the secondary, as both Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson were bad in the win.
Johnson led cornerbacks in receiving yards allowed in Week 1, allowing five catches (seven targets) for 127 yards. Pro Football Focus gave him a 44.8 overall grade (71st among 85 graded CBs) and a 41.5 coverage grade (71st among 85 graded CBs).
Stevenson wasn't any better, as he was also a turntable out there. He ranked eighth among cornerbacks in yards allowed (77) on four catches. He finished with a 36.8 overall grade (81st among 85 graded CBs) and a 39.1 coverage grade (75th among 85 graded CBs) on PFF.
Both Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker found plenty of success against the Bears CB duo, which should have Jefferson smiling from ear to ear. The LSU product is in a different tier as a receiver. All he needs is a quarterback to put it in his vicinity, and he'll make a play. That's what Wentz did, and it resulted in two scores.
If Wentz can build on Week 1 and improve in this outing against the Bears, he has a good chance of putting up solid numbers. To add more fuel to the fire, a win, in addition to a quality performance, would give the veteran momentum to stick as QB1 even if Murray is healthy.
It'll be hard to pull him from the lineup for Murray if Wentz plays well and Minnesota wins. Yes, we won the QB competition, but winning two division games back-to-back to start the year would be very impressive and give him more ammo to build his case as QB1.
No. 18 is no question a superstar, and the stage is set for another outstanding outing. If he does, he could help Wentz make a run for the starting gig.
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