Vikings vs. Bears: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Chicago Bears have a chance to open the 2013 season with a 2-0 record when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. 

Chicago showed some serious pluck against AFC North powerhouse Cincinnati in Week 1. The Bengals had a 21-10 lead midway through the third quarter, and the Bears responded with two unanswered touchdowns—one late in the third quarter and one in the fourth.

Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall showed the same kind of chemistry we saw from them last year, hooking up eight times for 104 yards and the game-winning touchdown. 

Week 1 wasn't kind to the Vikings. Despite the fact that Adrian Peterson took the opening play of the game 78 yards for a touchdown, Minnesota lost to Detroit 34-24. 

Peterson finished with 93 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, as his offensive line played poorly the rest of the game. 

Unfortunately, Christian Ponder was miserable—more on that later. 

Here's a quick peek at when and where you can catch the action.

When: Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill. 

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Bovada) 

• Over/Under: 42 pts.
• Spread: Chicago (-6)

Vikings Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Phil Loadholt	T	Knee		Probable
Josh Robinson	CB	Quadricep		Probable
Larry Dean	LB	Shoulder		Probable
Mistral Raymond	S	Shoulder		Probable
Erin Henderson	LB	Heel		Probable
Jamarca Sanford	S	--		--
John Sullivan	C	Knee		Probable
Kevin Williams	DT	Knee		Probable

Bears Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Julius Peppers	DE	Illness		Probable
Charles Tillman	CB	Knee		Probable

Will Ponder Bounce Back Against Chicago?

Christian Ponder also played poorly last week—and that's putting it nicely. 

Showing the same propensity to turn the ball over as he did throughout most of his sophomore campaign, the third-year quarterback opened the season with four turnovers—three interceptions and one lost fumble.

His job won't get any easier against the Bears. 

Charles Tillman intercepted two Andy Dalton passes in Week 1, and Chicago's defense will pounce on any mistake Ponder makes on Sunday at Soldier Field. 

Given the weapons the Vikings have invested in this past offseason (Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson), the former first-round pick has no reason not to thrive this year. Combined with tight end Kyle Rudolph and Peterson, Minnesota has the talent to become an explosive offense.  

Unfortunately, to this point in his career, Ponder doesn't look like a franchise quarterback. A big game against the Bears would do much to improve that perception. 

Prediction

It feels like Cutler is starting to find his happy place in Marc Trestman's new offense. 

The way he started playing at the end of the game against the Bengals reminded me of his final year in Denver, and if Matt Forte can get going we will likely see a blowout.

Minnesota's defense struggled badly against the Lions, allowing 28 first downs and 469 yards. 

Ponder is going to get thrashed again on Sunday at Soldier Field. Adrian Peterson might have a huge game on the ground, but he can't do it all, and it won't be enough to win the game.

Final Score 

Bears win 38-20

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78