After a record-breaking explosion in Carolina, Caleb Williams and Chicago’s high-powered attack head home to test Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy scheme in a high-stakes divisional showdown.
The Chicago Bears destroyed the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 1.
Before Sunday, the most points the Panthers had ever allowed in a game as a franchise was 52 in 2018 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That all changed, as the Bears won 59-37 on the road to open the year.
The Bears scored eight touchdowns, two of which were on the ground. This tied an NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a season opener.
Head coach Ben Johnson wasn't satisfied with how well the offense played, and now his team is shifting its focus to the Minnesota Vikings.
Brian Flores is the defensive coordinator of the Vikings. He has already faced Caleb Williams four times since he entered the league in 2024.
He hasn't made it easy on the Bears and the Williams. In four games against his defense since 2024, the Bears have averaged 19 points, 2.25 sacks allowed and 0.5 turnovers.
This should be a fun matchup to watch between Flores' defense and the Bears' offense.
Both teams are starting to talk about each other at press conferences. For the Vikings, it doesn't sound like they have a clear answer on how to stop Johnson's offense.
At Tuesday's press conference, Flores noted how Johnson's offense can cause plenty of issues for a defense.
"You know, there's obviously detail and great techniques and fundamentals and they got good backs, you know?" Flores said. "That always helps. So, they do a great job. There's shifts. There's motions. A lot of eye candy. It's everything that could potentially that could give a defense problems, they do."
The Vikings were a part of an incredible game with the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Both teams were neck and neck heading into the fourth quarter. The Packers held a narrow 22-17 lead over the Vikings, then Minnesota scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win 39-22.
Those were all without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who exited early with a concussion. Carson Wentz came in and threw three touchdown passes.
Flores' defense held the line in the fourth quarter, and the offense capitalized. He has yet to face anything like Johnson's offense, however.
Flores and his blitz-heavy defense have the tough task of slowing down this Bears offense. As of Tuesday, it sounds like Flores has his work cut out for him.
The Bears and Vikings meet at Soldier Field on Sunday at noon CT on Fox.
