The Chicago Bears will host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding QB Caleb Williams.
Is Caleb Williams Playing in Week 1?
Williams is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he will play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Bears’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Caleb Williams in Week 1?
While conventional wisdom suggests avoiding quarterbacks against Minnesota’s defense, Caleb Williams presents a contrarian argument for Week 1. Despite the Vikings leading the NFL in blitz rate for consecutive seasons, Williams thrived against the pressure in their previous meetings, completing 15-of-23 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions when Minnesota brought extra rushers last year.
The key lies in Williams’ dual-threat ability. Though he ranked poorly against the blitz overall (24th in YPA and 28th in completion percentage), his rushing upside creates a unique floor that most pocket passers lack. Only Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, and Jalen Hurts recorded more 30+ rushing yard games than Williams in 2024, indicating his legs are a real and spectacular fantasy weapon.
Minnesota’s defensive reputation is somewhat inflated from a fantasy perspective. They allowed just five quarterbacks to reach 17.5 fantasy points last season, but Williams’ mobility changes the equation entirely. When traditional passing windows close due to Minnesota’s aggressive blitzing, Williams can extend plays and create rushing opportunities that bypass their pass defense entirely.
The Vikings’ blitz-heavy approach could backfire against a quarterback who’s already proven he can beat them both through the air and on the ground, making Williams a sneaky QB1 play with tournament upside.
One of my bold calls this summer was that Williams had an absolute path to being the sixth-highest scoring player at the position this season, and a strong showing to open the season would be a nice step in that direction.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 1 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em article.
Caleb Williams’ Fantasy Points Projection in Week 1
Williams is projected to score 13.8 points in PPR formats. This includes 184.9 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 25.5 rushing yards, and 0 rushing touchdowns.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 1 Weather Impact: Bears vs Vikings
Weather could significantly impact this outdoor game with temperatures at 64 degrees Fahrenheit and strong winds of 16 mph. The wind will likely affect the passing and kicking games, potentially favoring rushing attacks.
