J.J. McCarthy produces epic fourth quarter in NFL debut as Vikings shock Caleb Williams and the Bears

Updating Live

(25)

See New Posts

Pinned

Link copied

FINAL: Vikings 27, Bears 24

Pinned

Link copied

Heads-up coaching from Kevin O'Connell robs Bears of extra clock

Minnesota has Ty Chandler take a kickoff return out of the end zone to ensure Chicago doesn't benefit from a two-minute warning stoppage, forcing the Bears to aim for a last-second comeback without timeouts:

Pinned

Link copied

Bears make it a game (again) with Caleb Williams TD

Late 4Q: Vikings 27, Bears 24

It's a strike to Rome Odunze, but Williams was basically the whole offense on this drive, coming back alive for a huge sprint toward the goal line to set up the score:

Pinned

Link copied

J.J. McCarthy races to the end zone for potential game-sealing TD

Late 4Q: Vikings 27, Bears 17

What a turnaround for the young guy under center. Talk about a hot finish for the Vikings' quarterback:

Pinned

Link copied

Vikings block a punt to keep the momentum late

Everything is coming up Minnesota in the home stretch:

Pinned

Link copied

Adam Thielen secures 2-point catch to extend late Vikings lead

Mid 4Q: Vikings 20, Bears 17

Minnesota's fan favorite saved his first catch for a critical moment:

Pinned

Link copied

J.J. McCarthy launches a beauty to Aaron Jones

Well hello, the Vikings aren't dead yet!

Pinned

Link copied

Jonathan Owens stuffs Vikings' 2-point try

Minnesota tries to make it a three-point game, even setting up a nice open pass from J.J. McCarthy to backup tight end Josh Oliver, but Owens is there to make a clean open-field tackle, preserving Chicago's 17-12 edge:

Pinned

Link copied

McCarthy threads the needle for Jefferson TD

This one was much-needed for Minnesota. One play after a would-be touchdown dart to Jalen Nailor is deflected at the line by Montez Sweat, J.J. McCarthy stands in a collapsing pocket and fires a tight-window bullet to Justin Jefferson, pulling the Vikings within one score with more than 12 minutes still to play:

Pinned

Link copied

Cairo Santos can't connect on a 50-yard field goal try after Caleb Williams can't quite finish an otherwise strong drive also featuring some tough running from D'Andre Swift. So it's still a two-score game here as the fourth-quarter clock ticks down. Let's see if the Vikings can find any late-game magic with J.J. McCarthy. They're leaning quite heavily on Jordan Mason in the ground game.

Pinned

Link copied

Caleb Williams uses his legs for a smooth first down

The Bears quarterback is showcasing his athleticism against Brian Flores' defense:

Pinned

Link copied

Injury alert: Blake Cashman, Ryan Kelly hurt for Vikings

The veteran linebacker comes up limping after chasing down Caleb Williams on a scramble. He's waiting to receive medical attention on the sidelines while teammate Ryan Kelly, the Vikings' new center, also gets a look from trainers.

Pinned

Link copied

Bears fool J.J. McCarthy with massive pick six

Uh-oh. Nahshon Wright gets the start for the Bears with Jaylon Johnson sidelined, but that's not enough: He easily slips in front of a J.J. McCarthy pass to put Chicago up 17-6 in the second half. This one's pretty ugly for Minnesota.

Pinned

Link copied

Halftime stats

Score: Bears 10, Vikings 6

First downs: Bears, 8-4

Third down: Bears 3-7, Vikings 0-5

Total yards: Bears 172, Vikings 80

Red zone: Bears 1-1, Vikings 0-1

TOP: Bears, 18:38

Williams: 13/16, 112 yards, 0 sacks, 4 carries, 32 yards, TD

McCarthy: 5/8, 48 yards, 2 sacks, 1 carry, 11 yards

Jordan Mason: 4 carries, 14 yards

Aaron Jones: 3 carries, 6 yards

Jalen Nailor: 1 catch, 28 yards

Justin Jefferson: 1 catch, 4 yards

D'Andre Swift: 9 carries, 22 yards

DJ Moore: 2 catches, 35 yards

Olamide Zaccheaus: 3 catches, 30 yards

Pinned

Link copied

We've got a tight game heading into the second half

Halftime: Bears 10, Vikings 6

While the Bears have the lead, the Vikings are probably the happier team heading into their respective locker room at intermission. With a first-time starting quarterback, the Vikings are just four points down on the road against a team that came out like gangbusters to start the game.

Caleb Williams statistically outplayed his counterpart in the first half, but McCarthy held his own by not turning the ball over and hitting Jalen Nailor for a 28-yard gain that set up their second field goal just before halftime. Adding to Minnesota's momentum is the fact that they'll start the second half with the ball.

Pinned

Link copied

Vikings defense strikes back

After allowing 10 straight completions to start the game, the Vikings' defense has forced Williams into three straight incompletions. The Bears, after scoring on their first drive, are punting the ball back to the Vikings with 5:52 left in the half.

The Vikings got on the board early in the second quarter on a 31-yard field goal. While he hasn't stretched the field whatsoever, McCarthy is 3 of 4 without any turnovers. But if Minnesota is going to win this game, it'll need more on the ground after getting 35 yards on its initial nine carries.

Pinned

Link copied

Bears take one-score lead into the second quarter

End 1Q: Bears 7, Vikings 0

While they didn't score on their second drive, the first quarter couldn't have gone much better for Williams, who went 9 of 9 for 56 yards in the opening 15 minutes.

McCarthy completed his only pass attempt in the first quarter. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell just told ESPN that he likes McCarthy's demeanor and that the rest of the team -- him included -- needs to step up around him. He specifically said that the Vikings need to do a better job protecting him.

McCarthy and the Vikings' offense will have the ball to start Q2.

Pinned

Link copied

That was a nice statement start for Caleb Williams: I'm the first-round quarterback here. Perfect blend of his off-script athleticism and Ben Johnson's space-opening designs. Couldn't have been much better for Chicago.

Pinned

Link copied

Caleb Williams gives the Bears an early lead

Mid 1Q: Bears 7, Vikings 0

Caleb Williams' first drive of the 2025 season ends with his first career touchdown run. Williams bought time on the play before he sped to the end zone for a nine-yard score.

Williams was a perfect 6 of 6 on the drive for 51 yards. He completed passes to five teammates that included an impressive, 17-yard grab by Rome Odunze on the near sideline.

Pinned

Link copied

J.J. McCarthy's first drive ends with a punt

J.J. McCarthy's first NFL drive was a three and out that included a sack by Gervon Dexter Sr. on second down. McCarthy did complete his first NFL pass, a short, five-yarder to Josh Oliver.

Pinned

Link copied

Soldier Field in questionable condition for 'MNF'?

This isn't necessarily a surprise coming from the Bears' aging stadium, but ...

Pinned

Link copied

Caleb Williams reps Bears legend on way into stadium

Pinned

Link copied

Vikings inactives: Minnesota missing star safety

Here's a complete look at the Vikings' inactives for their prime-time opener:

QB Max Brosmer

RB Zavier Scott

OT Christian Darrisaw

OG Joe Huber

DL Elijah Williams

S Harrison Smith

The biggest absentee is easily Smith, the six-time Pro Bowler who's been sidelined with an undisclosed personal illness. Theo Jackson will be tasked with stepping up on the back end of Brian Flores' defense alongside captain Josh Metellus. Also glaringly absent is Darrisaw, the former first-rounder at left tackle. J.J. McCarthy's blind side will likely be protected by Justin Skule.

Pinned

Link copied

Bears inactives: Chicago missing top two CBs

Big news on the injury front, as the Bears will be without both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon in the secondary against Minnesota. Here's a full list of Chicago's inactives for "Monday Night Football":

QB Case Keenum

RB Roschon Johnson

OL Kiran Amegadjie

DL Shemar Turner

LB T.J. Edwards

CB Jaylon Johnson

CB Kyler Gordon

Former Dallas Cowboys prospect Nahshon Wright is a name to watch at corner for the Bears in place of the absentees.

Click here to read article