The Minnesota Vikings entered their Week 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears with questions at quarterback, growing confidence in their defense and an opportunity to prove their season-opening comeback was no fluke.
On the latest episode of “Vikings Water Cooler Talk with Stitch and BJ,” presented by GameDay Men’s Health of Rapid City, the hosts recapped Minnesota’s 39-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers and previewed a difficult road test against Chicago.
The Vikings scored 29 unanswered points during the second half against Green Bay after starting quarterback Kyler Murray was knocked out of the game. Carson Wentz stepped in and threw three touchdown passes without turning the ball over.
Justin Jefferson caught two touchdown passes and finished just shy of 100 receiving yards. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason also scored as Minnesota’s running game helped take pressure off Wentz.
“I like Carson Wentz the best,” BJ said. “He’s fully capable and in full control of this offense. He knows it the best, I feel like.”
Murray returned to practice and took snaps ahead of the Chicago game, but the Vikings had not announced whether he would start. Stitch and BJ said Minnesota should not rush Murray back, particularly after a head injury, and could benefit from making the Bears prepare for two very different quarterbacks.
Murray completed three of five passes for 18 yards and threw an interception before leaving the opener. Wentz settled into the game after a slow start and eventually guided the Vikings’ second-half surge.
“It would be hard for me as a coach to say, ‘Let’s go back to him,’” Stitch said of Murray. “We can’t turn the ball over, and if we don’t turn the ball over, we’ll have a good chance at winning.”
The Vikings may lean even more heavily on Jones after Mason was placed on injured reserve with a thumb injury. Stitch and BJ praised Minnesota’s use of motion in the running game and the blocking provided by its rookie fullback.
Jones appeared fresh in the opener, while Mason helped carry the workload after the Vikings built their lead. With Mason sidelined for at least four games, Minnesota added running back Jerome Ford to its practice squad.
The hosts also want to see Jordan Addison become more involved after receiving only two targets against Green Bay. Jefferson commanded most of the passing-game attention and repeatedly found openings in the Packers’ secondary.
Minnesota’s defense could face a much different challenge in Chicago.
The Bears scored 59 points against the Carolina Panthers in their opener, showcasing an explosive offense led by quarterback Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson. Williams’ ability to escape pressure and create plays outside the pocket was one of the hosts’ biggest concerns.
“He’s like Houdini in the pocket,” Stitch said. “You think you have him dead to rights and somehow he gets out of it. Then what happens? A big play down the field.”
Minnesota blitzed on a reported 89% of its defensive snaps against Green Bay. Stitch and BJ said defensive coordinator Brian Flores could continue applying pressure or surprise Chicago by dropping more defenders into coverage.
If the Vikings continue blitzing heavily, maintaining containment around Williams will be critical. The Chicago quarterback scored two rushing touchdowns in the opener and repeatedly extended plays with his legs.
The Bears also have several dangerous receiving options, including Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. The hosts identified Burden as a particularly dangerous matchup because of the way Chicago moves him around the formation and creates opportunities for him in space.
Minnesota’s defense received strong performances from Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel against Green Bay. The return of veteran safety Harrison Smith also provides experience behind a cornerback group that could be tested by Chicago’s speed.
Despite the Bears’ offensive performance in Week 1, Stitch and BJ said questions remain about a defense that surrendered 31 first-half points to Carolina.
The Bears entered the matchup as 4½-point favorites, but both hosts selected Minnesota to win.
“The Vikings are going to shock some people,” Stitch said.
Week 2 SKOL Picks
| Matchup | Stitch’s pick | BJ’s pick |
| Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills | Bills | Bills |
| Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons | Panthers | Panthers |
| Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | Vikings | Vikings |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans | Eagles | Eagles |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots | Steelers | Steelers |
| Green Bay Packers at New York Jets | Packers | Jets |
| Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers |
| New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans | Texans | Texans |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos | Jaguars | Jaguars |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers | Chargers | Raiders |
| Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys | Cowboys | Commandes |
| Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers | 49ers | 49ers |
| Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs |
| New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams | Giants* | Giants* |
*Both hosts reserved the right to switch their selections to the Rams before kickoff.
Stitch currently sits at 10-6 after Week 1. BJ sits at 9-7
Listeners can compete against Stitch and BJ through ESPN’s NFL Pick’em game by searching for the “Homeslice SKOL Picks” group. The group password is Homeslice24.
“Vikings Water Cooler Talk with Stitch and BJ” is presented by GameDay Men’s Health of Rapid City.
