What time is the NFL game tonight? TV schedule, channel, live stream to watch Bears vs. Vikings in Week 1
The first Monday Night Football game of the 2025 season will feature two quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Caleb Williams, that year's No. 1 pick, will start for the Bears as they take on the Vikings and that year's No. 10 pick J.J. McCarthy. It'll mark the start of the second season for Williams and the first for McCarthy, who suffered a knee injury prior to last season.
The Vikings last year started Sam Darold, who turned in a resurgent season as he led the team to a 14-3 record and playoff appearance. He's now with the Seahawks, paving way for McCarthy to have the starting job in Minnesota.
Chicago didn't do as well last year. It finished 5-12 despite starting the year 4-2. Williams posted 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. This year will be an opportunity for Williams to build off his rookie campaign.
Minnesota is a tough squad, so it'll be a major test for Williams in his first game of 2025. It'll also be difficult for McCarthy, who is facing NFL competition for the first time.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch Bears vs. Vikings.
- Date: Monday, Sep. 8
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Bears vs. Vikings kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 8. The game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
How to watch Bears vs. Vikings
- TV channel: ABC, ESPN
- Live stream: Fubo
NFL fans can tune into the Bears vs. Vikings game on Monday night live on ABC and ESPN.
For those looking for a live stream, Fubo has you covered.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Bears vs. Vikings radio station
- Radio station: SiriusXM channels 225, 226
Fans can tune into the Bears vs. Vikings game live on SiriusXM channels 225 (Bears) and 226 (Vikings).
New subscribers can enjoy SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Bears 2025 schedule
Here are the Bears' next five games:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Sep. 8 | vs. Vikings | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sep. 14 | at Lions | 1 p.m. |
| Sep. 21 | vs. Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. |
| Sep. 28 | at Raiders | 4:25 p.m. |
| Oct. 13 | at Commanders | 8:15 p.m. |
Vikings 2025 schedule
Here are the Vikings' next five games:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Sep. 8 | at Bears | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sep. 14 | vs. Falcons | 8:20 p.m. |
| Sep. 21 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. |
| Sep. 28 | vs. Steelers* | 9:30 a.m. |
| Oct. 5 | vs. Browns* | 9:30 a.m. |
Packers Star Xavier McKinney Unfazed by Controversial Taunting Flag Against Lions
Early in the second quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Lions in Green Bay, Packers star safety Xavier McKinney did something so many players in the history of the league have done before him. He blocked an opponent to the ground, and subsequently stood over him.
The opponent was Kalif Raymond, and neither he nor McKinney was involved in the play, which saw Kiesean Nixon push lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs out of bounds. But as Raymond got up to engage in a minor confrontation with McKinney, something odd happened. A flag came in and McKinney was whistled for a 15-yard penalty on a pretty innocuous play.
The play was was unusual to say the least, and met with much disdain by fans on social media. but it is part of the new “respect for opponents” emphasis the league has enacted this season. It didn’t hurt the Packers in their 27-13 drubbing of the Lions, but it could have.
Xavier McKinney ‘Probably’ Did Taunt
McKinney admitted after the game that he did stand over Raymond, and did not seem too concerned about it. The Lions ended up with a field goal on the drive.
“I probably did,” McKinney said when asked about standing over Raymond. “But hey, it is what it is. I had to set the tone not just for our team but for our defense of how we want to play. I’ll take the flag, I’ll live with it, it’s all right.”
LaFleur was livid with the officiating crew when the play unfolded. After the game, he was being diplomatic but clearly disagreed with the call. When he was first asked what he saw on the play, he shot back at a reporter, “What did you see?”
But he went on: “Worst case scenario, they should’ve been offsetting (penalties). But they saw it differently.”
Packers Known They Must Keep Composure
Still, the league has made plain its attempts to clean up unsportsmanlike behavior on the field, and even sent a memo to each team to hammer home the point last month. LaFleur said his team is aware of the point of emphasis.
“We’ll definitely address that again. We can’t do that,” LaFleur said. ‘We’ve got to be better than that. Football is an emotional game, and I understand. I love these guys getting excited about playing. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on on the field, but you’ve got to keep your composure and your poise, especially when you’re playing a really good football team.”
McKinney added: “Going forward, I’m going to toe the line. If I get a flag, I’ll learn from it, but I’m going to toe that line. Obviously, I’m a smart player so I understand when I can and can’t do it, but this type of game, I had to set the tone and that’s just what it was. And we’ll live with it.”
