Vikings vs Bears Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions: NFL Best Bets for Monday, September 8

NFL Week 1 is here, and there's a highly anticipated NFC North Divisional matchup featuring the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears!

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Tabbed as slim one-point-spread favorites, the books are predicting a close matchup between the Vikings and Bears. With the total set at 42.5 points on FanDuel, sportsbooks are anticipating a decent scoring matchup between the two.

The Vikings are predicted just outside the top ten in terms of defensive rankings. Having signed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the offseason, the Vikings bolstered their defense. Highlighted by Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota is poised to have a top ten defense in 2025.

As for the Bears, they will begin a new era under newly signed head coach Ben Johnson tonight. While Chicago enhanced their receiving core with Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, the Bears have built around second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Boosting the offensive line, the defense remains a major question mark.

With quarterback J.J. McCarthy set to make his NFL debut for the Vikings, let's take a look at my best bets and anytime touchdown scorer predictions for the Monday, September 8, NFL matchup featuring the Vikings and Bears!

All of my bets in this article were made separately within FanDuel Sportsbook.

NFL Week 1 Best Bets: Vikings vs Bears Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Monday, September 8

Jordan Mason Anytime TD Odds: +190 (FanDuel)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 12  | Carries: 153 | Rushing Yards: 789 | Avg Rushing: 5.2 | Rush TD: 3 | Rec TD: 0 | Rush Long: 38 | First Down: 37

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason to score a touchdown vs the Chicago Bears for +190 odds on FanDuel.

Acquired from the San Fransisco 49ers in an offseason trade, Mason was traded in exchange for a 2025 fifth and sixth-round pick, in addition to a 2026 six-round pick. With the news, Mason signed a two-year $12 deal with the Vikings.

Heading into his third NFL season, Mason was a crucial part of the 49ers running game amid injuries to star running back Christian McCaffrey. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, Mason recorded 789 rushing yards, along with three rushing touchdowns in 12 games.

Sure, the Vikings have veteran back Aaron Jones Sr., who they signed to a two-year $20 million extension in the offseason. Transitioning to a division rival after seven years with the Green Bay Packers, Jones became an instant workhorse for head coach Kevin O'Connell.

In 17 games, Jones rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards, and tallied five rushing rushing touchdowns. In the backfield, he put up 408 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Jordan Mason And Aaron Jones To Split Carries For The Vikings?

O'Connell expressed the desire to run the ball more, given the Vikings averaged just 109 yards on the ground last season. Jones, 30, is more than capable of handling all three downs. However, Mason is a powerful back that should see plenty of looks at the goal line.

With J.J McCarthy set to make his first NFL start, it's unclear the percentage of pass vs rush attack. The Vikings did upgrade their offensive line, and should have a top ten line with Christian Darrisaw (questionable), Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, and Donovan Jackson.

Mason is a complimentary piece to Jones, and more teams are adapting a running back committee. For example, division rival Detroit Lions deploy a dual threat running game with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Overall, Mason could see equal work with Jones, and faces a Chicago Bears team that allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns last season with 18. Given it's week 1, it's a bit of a dice roll how the offensive will look.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Vikings vs Bears Betting Prediction: Jordan Mason ATS Odds: +190 (FanDuel)

While Grady Jarrett is the newest member of the Bears, the defensive line is middle of the road. Ranked 26 in rush EPA last season, I should see Mason finding the endzone no problem.

• For great value at +200 odds, I'll take Jordan Mason to score a touchdown tonight. Although his last touchdown came September 2024 vs the Patriots, he provides an instant boost on a Vikings team that ranked 19th (54.84 %) in redzone defense last season.

Jalen Nailor Anytime TD Odds: +480 (FanDuel)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 17  | Receptions: 28 | Targets: 42 | Receiving Yards: 414 | Avg: 14.8 | Rec TD: 6 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 33 | First Down: 22

My second best bet for today, I placed one unit on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor to record a touchdown vs the Chicago Bears Monday night.

J.J McCarthy is set to embark on his NFL journey tonight, and with that, the Vikings have a bona fide star wide receiver in Justin Jefferson. Heading into the season, wideout Jordan Addison is suspended the first three games of the NFL season following a DUI.

The Vikings bolstered their receiving core by trading for Adam Thielem from the Carolina Panthers, who spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Vikings. At 35 years old, Thielen may be listed as the Vikings' WR2. However, it will take time to adjust to a new system and rookie quarterback.

This is where Nailor comes in, who's now in his third season with the Vikings. At 5 foot 11, Nailor is primarily a slot and wide receiver that put up 414 receiving yards last season. Not to mention, he filled in nicely with injuries to both Addison and Jefferson, recording six receiving touchdowns in 17 games.

Why Jalen Nailor Can Score A Touchdown vs A Banged Up Bears Secondary

Without Addison, Nailor emerged as the No. 2 wideout behind Jefferson, and saw increased usage. Setting career-highs is several statistical categories (touchdowns, receiving yards, receptions), Nailor exploded for a season-high 81 receiving yards in week 2. In the Vikings 27-25 victory over the Packers, Nailor finished ahead of Addison with 81 receiving yards, five receptions, and one touchdown.

In the first half of the season, Nailor scored three straight touchdowns against the Giants, 49ers, and Texas. Although Sam Darnold has moved on to Seattle, I think we see more of Nailor this week than Thielen.

This is a long shot pick for +480, so I encourage responsible betting. However, Nailor faces a Bears defense that 13 touchdowns to wide receivers. While that's considered on the low end of the scale, the Bears gave up over 141 total offense to wideouts.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Vikings vs Bears Betting Prediction: Jalen Nailor ATS Odds: +480 (FanDuel)

Nailor should be lined up with Tyrique Stevenson, making this a prime matchup for the Vikings. Now Kyle Gordon is listed on the injury report in addition to an already banged up secondary.

• The Bears will already be without corner Terell Smith, and now Jaylon Johnson is questionable to lace up. With injuries piling up, I'm taking Jalen Nailor to score a touchdown Monday night for +480 odds. 

D.J. Moore Anytime TD Odds: +186 (FanDuel)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 17  | Receptions: 98 | Targets: 140 | Receiving Yards: 966 | Avg: 9.9 | Rec TD: 6 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 44 | First Down: 43

My third best bet for today, I placed one unit on Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore to score a touchdown Monday night vs the Minnesota Vikings.

Listed as Caleb Williams' top receiver, Moore is coming off a mediocre season. In his second year with the Bears, it was Moore's first with Williams. In 17 games, he tallied 966 receiving yards with six touchdowns.

I like this player prop touchdown bet for a few reasons. Moore and Williams connected late in the season. Finding the endzone in three of the final seven games, we should see Moore elevate his game in 2025.

Sure, the Bears have a crowded receiving core with Rome Odunze, and rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland.  However, Moore is the clear No. 1 option, and faces a Vikings squad that gave up 18 touchdowns to wide receivers last season. Tonight, they will be without free safety Harrison Smith.

The Vikings' defense is no joke, although they did lose corner Stephon Gilmore and Camryn Bynum in the offseason. Bryon Murphy Jr. was an excellent re-signing—If Moore is lined up with Jeff Okudah, this may be a walk in the park. If we are talking about cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, that may be a different story.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Vikings vs Bears Betting Prediction: D.J. Moore ATS Odds: +186 (FanDuel)

While their last matchup was low scoring, Moore was held to 46 receiving yards on eight reception last December. In the Vikings' 30-27 overtime victory against the Bears in November 2024, Moore tallied 106 receiving yards and one touchdown.

• I'm taking D.J. Moore to score a touchdown Monday night. With Ben Johnson calling the shots, he ran an extremely potent offense in Detroit. If anyone can elevate the Williams to Moore connection, it's Johnson.