Minnesota pulls ahead before halftime
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 9-3 at Soldier Field in Week 2, keeping Chicago off the scoreboard over the final three quarters to reach 2-0. The Bears fell to 1-1. The teams finished the opening quarter tied 3-3. Minnesota added three points in the second quarter for a 6-3 halftime lead, then supplied the only scoring of the second half with three more points in the fourth. It was a sharp scoring drop for both teams after their season-opening victories. Minnesota had beaten Green Bay 39-22, while Chicago opened with a 59-37 win at Carolina.
Jones and the defense lead Minnesota
Aaron Jones Sr. carried 23 times for 105 yards, giving Minnesota a productive rushing performance in a game with limited passing output. Carson Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards and added six yards on three carries. Justin Jefferson caught three of six targets for 55 yards. Minnesota’s defense allowed 297 yards and three points while recording four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. That production left Chicago little margin to recover from its scoreless second half. Caleb Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one interception. He also ran five times for 42 yards. D’Andre Swift gained 45 yards on 16 carries and caught five of six targets for another 54 yards. Kyle Monangai added 47 rushing yards on 10 attempts and 11 receiving yards on two catches.
Fantasy returns favor defense and receiving backs
Minnesota’s defense delivered 16.0 fantasy points, outscoring every listed offensive player in the game. Swift led the offensive group with 12.9 PPR points, with his receiving work accounting for much of that return despite Chicago’s three-point finish. Jones posted 10.5 PPR points, and Vikings kicker Will Reichard finished with 10.0. Kalif Raymond caught all five of his targets for 40 yards and 9.0 PPR points. Jefferson returned 8.5, while Monangai finished with 7.8. Neither quarterback produced a strong fantasy total: Williams scored 7.7 points and Wentz finished with 6.3.
Week 3 schedule
Minnesota visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4:05 p.m. ET. Chicago hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 28, at 8:15 p.m. ET.