Monday Night Football brings us an intriguing NFC North matchup: Vikings-Bears going toe-to-toe in Chicago. We have a first-year head coach on one sideline and a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut on the other. That sets the stage for some sharp betting angles, from MNF best bets and boosts to player props worth tailing. Below, we’ll break down our favorite Vikings-Bears bets, highlight some high-value NFL props, and explain why the Bears may be the team to back at home in Week 1.
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Week 1 Monday Night Football Best Bets, Boosts for Vikings-Bears
Bears Moneyline (+106)
The first of our MNF bets is simple: Take the Bears outright. Chicago sits as a slight home underdog at +102 to +106 across sportsbooks. Betting against a rookie quarterback making his debut in a divisional road spot is rarely a bad idea.
The Vikings will be without Jordan Addison (suspension), leaving Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson to do the heavy lifting alongside Aaron Jones in the backfield. Minnesota’s coaching staff is strong — Kevin O’Connell is one of the league’s sharp offensive minds, and Brian Flores will challenge Caleb Williams defensively — but this game isn’t about the Vikings’ scheme. It’s about a rookie quarterback walking into Soldier Field against a team that has reloaded in the trenches.
Chicago added Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman to its offensive line, shoring up the unit that was Williams’ biggest weakness last season. With Ben Johnson now head coach, this offense should be far more stable. As a divisional dog at home, the Bears are a live bet to pull off the win.
NFL Player Props We’re Targeting
When it comes to NFL props, Monday Night Football offers plenty of angles. Here are three of the best:
DeAndre Swift Over 14.5 Receiving Yards (-122)
Swift reunites with Ben Johnson, who schemed him into heavy pass-game usage back in 2022 with Detroit. That year, Swift averaged 28 receiving yards per game and cleared 15 yards in 10 of 14 contests.
With Chicago’s running back depth chart lacking true third-down specialists, Swift should see plenty of checkdowns and safety-valve looks. Add in an improved offensive line giving Williams more time, and 15 yards is a very achievable number. This is one of our favorite NFL player props on the board.
Cole Kmet Over 9.5 Receiving Yards (-118)
Don’t overthink it — 11 yards for Kmet is far too low. Yes, the Bears drafted Colston Loveland, but the rookie tight end is working back from injury and shouldn’t eat into Kmet’s role heavily in Week 1. One catch could cash this. Given Johnson’s offensive creativity, Kmet should remain involved early.
This is a classic “buy-low” NFL prop for MNF.
J.J. McCarthy to Throw an Interception (-123)
The Vikings’ rookie quarterback is making his first career start on the road. Even if O’Connell schemes safe throws, Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is notorious for disguising pressure and confusing young passers. At -123, the odds are fair for McCarthy to toss at least one pick. It pairs nicely with a Bears moneyline bet if you’re looking for correlated outcomes.
Profit Boosts and Promos: Free Value for MNF Bets
One of the most overlooked edges in betting is taking advantage of sportsbook profit boosts. For Monday Night Football, several books are offering promos:
- DraftKings: SGP Profit Boost for Vikings-Bears
- FanDuel: 50% Profit Boost Token on any MNF wager
- Bet365: 50% Super Profit Boost on Vikings-Bears SGP
If you’re new to Bet365, they’re also giving $300 in bonus bets after a $10 deposit and $5 wager. Promos like these raise your expected value and make your MNF bets more profitable long-term.
