Ben Johnson must show corrections against the Vikings on Sunday

The Chicago Bears will look to have their second three game winning-streak on Sunday when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings for the second time this season. Playing the Vikings for the second time will mark the first time that first-year head coach Ben Johnson will be facing a divisional opponent for the second time in the same season. Sunday’s game will be vital to see how Johnson as a head coach is able to make corrections and is to capitalize on weaknesses seen from Vikings during their first matchup earlier this season.

Ben Johnson will have his first opportunity to deploy corrections playing a divisional opponent for the second time in a year

Ben Johnson’s head coaching debut came against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 of this year on Monday Night football, in a game that the Bears were expected to win. Despite having control of the contest through the first three quarters, Chicago’s defense allowed 21 points, including a passing and rushing touchdown to opposing quarterback J.J. McCarthey, who was making his NFL debut. Despite Johnson’s offense scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, Chicago’s offensive unit would struggle throughout most of the game to sustain drives and score touchdowns, as they didn’t score until their final drive.

Now, ten weeks later, all eyes will be on Ben Johnson to see if his offense with quarterback Caleb Williams can correct their mistakes from week 1 and look to take advantage against a Vikings team that could be playing for their playoff hopes on Sunday. The main focus will be on Johnson to see how he counteracts the defensive scheme set forth by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, as the two play-callers have built a semi-rivalry over the last few years. Flores is known throughout the league for his strong defensive unit that relies immensely on blitzing the opposing quarterback, while deploying exotic pass-coverage schemes on top of that.

Dating back to Johnson’s time as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, the offensive play-caller has faced off against Flores’ defense five times since 2023. In the four games before the 2025 season, Ben Johnson’s offense bested the Vikings’ defense, as they averaged over 30 points and won all four contests. The season-opening loss for Chicago to Minnesota was the first time Flores’ defense held the young play-caller’s offense to less than 30 points, and marked the first time his defense got a win.

One of the more significant struggles for Johnson’s offense during the Week 1 matchup against the Vikings was the rushing offense, as D’Andre Swift was the only running back to record a rushing attempt and only gained 53 rushing yards. Since Chicago’s Week 5 Bye, Ben Johnson has turned around the offensive’s rushing attack, as the unit has been one of the best rushing teams, as they currently rank second in the league in rushing yards. Minnesota’ rushing defense currently ranks in the bottom third in rushing yards allowed.

With the current struggles of Chicago’s pass-defense due in part to a litany of injuries, there is a legitimate chance that Johnson’s offense may have to outduel Minnesota’s offense in a shootout. Ben Johnson could look to neutralize Flores’ defense via play-action and rollout play-designs, trying to either freeze Minnesota’s defense faking a run play or moving Williams out of the pocket to get the ball out in a quick manner. Chicago’s head coach was critical of his passing offense after the team’s Week 1 loss to the Vikings, as there were several throws left on the field that could have altered the outcome of the contest.

Ben Johnson’s capabilities as a final decision-maker will be test against the Vikings

Playing a divisional opponent for the second time as a head coach will be also significant for Ben Johnson to see how he oversees his team as a whole when it comes to making corrects and how he trusts his coaching staff. Although Johnson is the main overseer of Chicago’s offense, it will be intriguing to see what input he provides to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and what he recommends in helping to defend the Vikings’ offense. It will also be interesting to see what transpires with the Bears’ special teams against Minnesota on Sunday, as there were some several crucial mistakes made in the two teams’ first game this year.

Being able to make overall corrections, and not just to the offensive side of the ball, will be important to watch as Johnson’s team still have two more divisional rematches after playing the Vikings the second time this year on Sunday. The Bears will have to play the Green Bay Packers twice in a span of only 13 days and while will have their second divisional game against the Detroit Lions in the 2025 season finale at home on January 4th. The Lions rematch will be vital not just because there will likely be massive playoff implications for Ben Johnson’s team, but also to see if the head coach can rebound after his team was blown out 52-21.

Although Ben Johnson has been a coach within the NFC North since 2022, there is a significant difference from how playing a team a second time in a year is handled as a coordinator and play-caller compared to how it’s handled as a head coach. Johnson in the past may have offered a suggest for what could be deployed in the second game, yet might have been overruled by head coach Dan Campbell, and now as Bears’ head coach is the final decision-maker. That responsibility and ability to make adjustments against divisional foes can be difficult, as previous Chicago’ head coach Matt Eberflus was victorious only twice in rematches against divisional opponents.

Sunday’s rematch against the Minnesota Vikings will be a pivotal moment in Ben Johnson’s young head coaching career, as it will be interesting to see if he can make the necessary adjustments to win. The rematch between the two teams will also give Johnson a chance to win his first divisional contest as a head coach, as his team has lost their first two divisional games of 2025. A win on Sunday against the Vikings will not only increase Chicago’s chance of making the playoffs and having a winning record for the first time since 2018, but also confirm that the franchise has a head coach capable of making vital corrections from previous matchups against divisional opponents.

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