Quarterback Caleb Williams hopes to make history with the Bears
Mark Giannotto explains how the Chicago Bears quarterback hopes to break free of the perceptions of him, and make history in the NFL
- The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears 27-24 in the first Monday Night Football game of the season.
- Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy led a second-half comeback with three touchdown drives in his first career NFL start.
- The Vikings have now won six consecutive games in Chicago, a first in franchise history.
The first “Monday Night Football” game of the regular season featured a pair of 2024 first-round pick quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy got the better of his draftmate as the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Chicago Bears, 27-24, to get to 1-0 on the young season.
Monday was the first regular-season meeting between Williams and McCarthy. It was McCarthy’s first career NFL start. The game started rocky for McCarthy, but he led the Vikings on three touchdown drives in the second half to lift Minnesota to victory.
Here are the winners and losers from the NFC North battle:
WinnersJ.J. McCarthy
McCarthy, who grew up in the Chicago area, made his first NFL start. The first half and third quarter were rough, but he showed a lot of resiliency in the comeback win.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell called a conservative game for the young quarterback. McCarthy played like an overwhelmed young player through the first two quarters. He completed only five passes for 48 yards in the first half.
The second-year QB found his groove following a pick-six in the third quarter. He led Minnesota on three-straight touchdown drives that swung momentum back into the Vikings favor in the fourth period. He delivered a 13-yard touchdown strike to Justin Jefferson.
On the ensuing possession, McCarthy threw a 27-yard touchdown to Aaron Jones to give Minnesota a 20-17 lead with 9:46 remaining in the final quarter. He then scampered for a 14-yard touchdown on a read option on the very next possession to lift the Vikings to a 27-17 advantage.
McCarthy finished with 143 yards, two touchdownpasses and one interception, plus one rushing TD. He is the first starting QB with a 10+ point fourth quarter comeback in his NFL debut since Steve Young in 1985, per NFL Research.
Vikings on the road
The Vikings have won six straight games in Chicago. It’s Minnesota’s first six game winning streak in Chicago in franchise history.
Kevin O’Connell is 6-1 as a head coach against the Bears.
Nahshon Wright
The Bears were right with Wright.
Wright was on the Vikings’ practice squad last year. He got sweet revenge against his former club.
The fourth-year cornerback jumped in front of a J.J. McCarthy pass intended for Justin Jefferson in the third quarter. Wright intercepted the football and raced down the field for a 74-yard pick-six. It was the first pick-six of Wright’s career.
The touchdown gave the Bears some momentum and lifted them to a 17-6 lead.
Wright started in place of injured cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Arlington Heights
Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren reportedly sent a letter to season ticket holders that stated the team has its sights set on building a new fixed-roof stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears also hope to bring a Super Bowl to the stadium as soon as 2031, per NFL Network.
Jim Cornelison
Cornelison sang the national anthem before the game. His rendition might not have been your cup of tea (Boyz II Men’s performance of the national anthem at the Cowboys vs. Eagles Week 1 game was the best in my opinion). But Cornelison got a big shoutout by the NFL on X.
LosersThird down efficiency
Both teams struggled mightily on third down.
The Bears were 3-12 on third down. They went 0-2 on the down in the final quarter. Minnesota wasn’t any better despite the win, as they also finished 3-12 on third down.
Bears second half offense
Chicago’s second half offense sunk in Lake Michigan.
The Bears were forced to punt four of their first five possessions after halftime. Caleb Williams did lead the Bears on a five-play, 65-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings offense was able to milk the game clock on their next possession.
Chicago’s defense equaled the scoring output of its offense in the second half, each unit scored one touchdown.
Williams completed just eight passes in the second half.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.