Ben Johnson and Brian Flores face
off again as the Bears take on the Vikings in Week 2
[September 18, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — It's a stressful week for Chicago Bears coach Ben
Johnson. Same for Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian
Flores.
They have that type of effect on each other.
Johnson and Flores match wits once again on Sunday when Caleb
Williams and Chicago host Dallas Turner and Minnesota for their home
opener. Johnson is 5-1 when calling the plays against a
Flores-coached defense, averaging 27.5 points per game.
“When you go against a guy like this, you’ve got everything,”
Johnson said. “So that’s where it’s a lot. For our players, they
have to really dedicate themselves over the course of the week to
have success on game day and fortunately I do think our guys, the
way we train them is very demanding and very detailed with teams
like this in mind.”
Flores, 45, is known for his array of blitzes, and he really turned
up the pressure in the final part of Minnesota's 39-22 win over
Green Bay in Week 1.
The Vikings trailed 22-10 in the third quarter, but they sacked
Jordan Love four times in the second half. Love also lost a fumble
and threw an interception in the fourth quarter. Turner was credited
with a career-high seven QB hits, the most in an NFL game since
Chris Jones had eight for Kansas City in Week 15 of the 2018 season.
“You’d like to think he’s put everything he could possibly do on
tape until you play him next and you realize he hasn’t yet,” Johnson
said. “So it’ll be something new. There always is with him and
that’s what makes him such a good coordinator. It’s a great
challenge. It really is.”
Johnson, 40, also presents quite the challenge for Flores and
Minnesota's defense. Chicago totaled 291 yards rushing and 552 yards
overall in its 59-37 victory at Carolina on Sunday. It was the
highest-scoring season opener in NFL history.
“What are we getting week to week? It’s hard to know,” Flores said.
“So a lot of the game is adjustments. If they do this, we want to do
that. If they do that, we want to do this. And we’re going to have
our own game plan to start things off. It’s the same thing on his
end: What are they doing? And how are we going to counteract what
they’re doing? So it’s certainly a chess match.”
Williams passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more TDs in
the first game of his second season in Johnson’s offense. The
24-year-old quarterback definitely has the Vikings' attention.
“He’s obviously capable of making highlight play after highlight
play," Vikings safety Harrison Smith said. "He’s really got it all.
He’s extremely talented. He’s operating that offense very well.”
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the first half
of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.
(AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Need to know
Minnesota (1-0) at Chicago (1-0).
When/where to watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox.
Latest odds: Bears by 4 1/2.
Against the spread: Vikings 1-0; Bears 1-0.
Last week: Vikings beat the Packers 39-22; Bears beat the Panthers
59-37.
Last meeting: Bears beat Vikings 19-17 on Nov. 16 in Minnesota.
Series record: Vikings lead 69-59-2.
Matchup to watch
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs Bears CB Jaylon Johnson. Jefferson,
27, and Johnson, 27, know each other quite well. They are both 2020
draft picks who have spent their entire careers with their
respective NFC North teams. Jefferson had eight catches for 92 yards
and two touchdowns in Minnesota's season opener. He has 59
receptions for 790 yards and four TDs in 10 games against Chicago.
Johnson is looking to bounce back from a shaky performance at
Carolina. He missed both of Chicago's games against Minnesota last
season. He has one interception in six games versus the Vikings.
Stats and stuff
— The Vikings have won six straight games at Soldier Field, one
short of the franchise record for consecutive road wins over a
division opponent. They won seven straight at Detroit from 1968-74
and seven straight on the road against Green Bay from 1971-77.
— In Week 1, the Vikings became the first team in NFL history to win
by 17 or more points after trailing by 12 or more points with less
than 20 minutes left in regulation, according to Stats Perform.
— Bears running back D’Andre Swift is 101 yards shy of 5,000 yards
rushing for his career. The 27-year-old Swift rushed for 124 yards
and three touchdowns in Week 1.
— Bears tight end Cole Kmet needs four receptions to pass Allen
Robinson (293) for ninth on the franchise's career list. Kmet had
two catches for 35 yards and a TD against the Panthers.
___
AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
