The first Monday Night Football game of the 2025 NFL regular season features an NFC North rivalry with two young quarterbacks when the Minnesota Vikings travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.
Both teams are loaded with young talent, and there are plenty of opportunities to find some valuable NFL player props.
Here are my top three NFL picks for our Vikings vs Bears predictions on Monday, September 8.
Vikings vs Bears MNF props
Thielen u3.5 receptions (
Santos o6.5 kick points (Adam Thielen Under 3.5 receptions
Adam Thielen has returned to the Minnesota Vikings after two years away with the Carolina Panthers. While it's a nice story, he is 35 years old and coming off a season where he only had 48 catches for 615 yards on a roster with very little wide receiver depth.
Now, he is back playing behind Justin Jefferson with a first-time starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy will likely rely on his superstar, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson. Obviously, without Jordan Addison, Thielen will see some targets, but this number is too high.
Thielen went the first four games of last season without four catches in a game despite being the leading target man. The Chicago Bears' pass defense was solid in 2024 and will likely force the Vikes into a more run-heavy offense.
Cairo Santos Over 6.5 kicking points
I expect the Bears offense to vastly improve in Caleb Williams' second season, with new head coach Ben Johnson patrolling the sidelines.
However, it is still Week 1 and teams aren’t typically as sharp in the red zone as they will be later in the season.
That is why I want to take the kicking points Over here for Chicago kicker Cairo Santos. The Bears will move the ball, but it is unlikely they convert all those drives for touchdowns. Two field goals and one extra point will hit this total.
Last year, Santos had five games with at least seven kicking points and two of those five were in the first two weeks. With an improved offense, shorter fields, and the new kickoff rules, I love his Over here to start the season.
Aaron Jones Sr. Under 11.5 carries
Aaron Jones Sr. turns 31 this year and is coming off a season where he had a career-high in carries. In two games against the Bears, he combined for 40 totes.
However, his age and that inflated volume are exactly why I want to fade him on Monday night. The Vikings also brought in Jordan Mason from the 49ers, and he played excellently to start last season when he stepped in for the injured Christian McCaffrey.
I think Mason was brought in to help split the workload with Jones. Combine that with the fact that this game may be high-scoring and close, and there likely won’t be enough opportunities for Jones to hit this rush attempt total.
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Vikings vs Bears MNF prop betting card
- Adam Thielen u3.5 receptions (-180)
- Cairo Santos o6.5 kicker points (+100)
- Aaron Jones Sr. u11.5 carries (-105)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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