Season Debut Shows Undaunted Spirit in Vikings' Week 1 Win at Bears

After months of anticipation, Vikings fans finally got to see starting QB JJ McCarthy play. Initially, that was a bit of a letdown.

The Vikings’ offense looked out of synch and inept, unable to sustain a drive. And the Minnesota defense struggled too—no pressure on Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, broken tackles, and gassed as the Bears dominated the time of possession in the first half.

McCarthy could have been defeated after throwing a pick-6, but he wasn’t. He looked pissed off in a quiet determined way that you shouldn’t count out.

The Minnesota Vikings overcame their slow start to come from behind and beat the Bears in Chicago in an improbable storybook finish with the Vikings winning 27 to 24 in Week 1.

Early in the 4th the MN offense marched down the field 8 plays and McCarthy hit Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard touchdown. Next possession started on the 50, 5 plays later, 27-yard touchdown to Aaron Jones. Minnesota grabbed the lead. Chicago attempted a rally, but the reenergized MN defense forced the Bears to punt. Leading by 3 the MN offense started on their 32 and marched 68 yards for another touchdown—this one a 14-yard run by McCarthy.

Chicago got the ball back and scored again, cutting the Vikings’ lead to 3. McCarthy and the offense bled the clock. The Bears, with only 9 seconds, ran out of time and Minnesota won a game that had looked completely unwinnable in the 3rd quarter.

The 2025 MN Vikings are a work in progress, but in game 1 they proved they won’t be counted out.

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