adam Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 Minnesota will be without Jordan Addison for this one. On the injury front, we know the Bears will be without Booker. The team is still hopeful to have Jaylon Johnson back to match up with Justin Jefferson. Both of those two are dinged up right now. I could see a heavy dose of Aaron Jones and TJ Hockenson in Week 1. LBs will play a huge role in stopping them. The pros for the Bears is playing on MNF at home, Soldier Field should be electric. Getting off to a hot start is key. McCarthy is basically a rookie. Caleb played well against MIN last year all things considered, he had 531 passing yards (265 yds/g), 3 TD, 0 INT, and 5 sacks in two games against MIN. Ben Johnson's offenses play really well against MIN, in the last 3 seasons, DET has put up 31, 31, 30, 30, going 4-0 against them and a Flores led defense. So I am less concerned about the offense than I am about the defense and Special Teams. Early prediction, Bears 27-20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears4Ever_34 Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 I tend to think this becomes a defensive struggle for both teams with the Bears narrowly winning because McCarthy turns the ball over more than our quarterback. I imagine it playing out very similarly to week 1 last year, hopefully with not as inept QB play from Caleb. I might be on suicide watch if he throws for under 100 yards again, and McCarthy outplays him in his first career start. Early prediction: Bears 20 Vikings 17, offense rallies from down 13-17 in the 4th and the defense holds at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo3451 Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 25 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said: Early prediction: Bears 20 Vikings 17, offense rallies from down 13-17 in the 4th and the defense holds at the end. I hope we're not down to the end in the 4th. My stomach would be in my throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears4Ever_34 Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 3 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said: I hope we're not down to the end in the 4th. My stomach would be in my throat. Me too. I'm hedging my Bears cynicism with a QB making his first career start on the road. If they win, it probably won't look pretty. The only thing I'd be shocked by is if either team won in a blowout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 55 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said: Me too. I'm hedging my Bears cynicism with a QB making his first career start on the road. If they win, it probably won't look pretty. The only thing I'd be shocked by is if either team won in a blowout. The first game is home. Detroit is a road game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearFan PHX Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 3 hours ago, Stinger226 said: The first game is home. Detroit is a road game he was talking about McCarthy, Williams isnt making his first career start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted August 25 Author Report Share Posted August 25 McCarthy will be making his first NFL start, on the road, season opener, on MNF. Here is how the other QBs did in their first start: Daniels 17-24, 184 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT - Loss Williams 14-29, 93 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT - Win Maye 20-33, 243 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT - Loss Penix 18-27, 202 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT - Win Average of 180 yds, 0.75 TD and 0.75 INT. So McCarthy throwing for 180 with 1 TD and 1 INT is probably the bar. Unless their running game goes off, that won't be enough for a win. I am revising my score to 24-17, Bears get 3 tuddies and a short Santos kick, Vikings get 1 passing, 1 rushing TD, and a FG. I would bracket Jefferson, and force McCarthy to beat them with his 2nd or 3rd read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears4Ever_34 Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 1 hour ago, adam said: McCarthy will be making his first NFL start, on the road, season opener, on MNF. Here is how the other QBs did in their first start: Daniels 17-24, 184 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT - Loss Williams 14-29, 93 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT - Win Maye 20-33, 243 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT - Loss Penix 18-27, 202 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT - Win Average of 180 yds, 0.75 TD and 0.75 INT. So McCarthy throwing for 180 with 1 TD and 1 INT is probably the bar. Unless their running game goes off, that won't be enough for a win. I am revising my score to 24-17, Bears get 3 tuddies and a short Santos kick, Vikings get 1 passing, 1 rushing TD, and a FG. I would bracket Jefferson, and force McCarthy to beat them with his 2nd or 3rd read. Worried about their run/play action game. Aaron Jones always kills them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ54 Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 Odd strategy for a preseason with a new QB. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2025/08/22/studs-and-duds-from-the-vikings-preseason-finale-against-the-titans/85789643007/ “Well, that wasn't the best ending to the preseason. In a game that was not very good for the majority of the roster, the team now limps into the regular season on a two-game losing streak from the preseason. Of course, the majority of starters never played in the preseason, including starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who appeared in the first game but hasn't been since as the team protects him.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 5 hours ago, AZ54 said: Odd strategy for a preseason with a new QB. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2025/08/22/studs-and-duds-from-the-vikings-preseason-finale-against-the-titans/85789643007/ “Well, that wasn't the best ending to the preseason. In a game that was not very good for the majority of the roster, the team now limps into the regular season on a two-game losing streak from the preseason. Of course, the majority of starters never played in the preseason, including starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who appeared in the first game but hasn't been since as the team protects him.” I dont usually look at the Viking websites but do a lot of GB content. I always like to see what pundits and fans think of their teams as we do here. This article is a good view of Viking flavor. There is one podcast that has a fan from each fan base that discusses the NFC North and it gets interesting. I'll try to find it and post it. Of all the fan bases you can guess which one has the most inflated egos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted August 25 Author Report Share Posted August 25 9 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said: Worried about their run/play action game. Aaron Jones always kills them. Yep, and those pin and pull rollouts to the flat. For some reason the Bears never get a defender over there in time, they always bite, and it is good for 7-8 yards every damn time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted Thursday at 07:54 PM Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 07:54 PM Looking over some numbers between the MIN DEF and CHI DEF from last year. Surprisingly, CHI had a higher QBP% at 36.5% to 35.7%, only allowed one more TD (37 to 36), and CHI allowed fewer passing yards per game (218 to 242). MIN actually allowed the 5th most yards through the air in 2024, but they were stout against the run (2nd). This sort of plays into the Bears strengths as the WR/TE rooms are close to elite compared to the RB room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ54 Posted Thursday at 08:04 PM Report Share Posted Thursday at 08:04 PM 5 minutes ago, adam said: Looking over some numbers between the MIN DEF and CHI DEF from last year. Surprisingly, CHI had a higher QBP% at 36.5% to 35.7%, only allowed one more TD (37 to 36), and CHI allowed fewer passing yards per game (218 to 242). MIN actually allowed the 5th most yards through the air in 2024, but they were stout against the run (2nd). This sort of plays into the Bears strengths as the WR/TE rooms are close to elite compared to the RB room. All the smoke and mirrors they use at the LOS pre-snap means defenders are out of position. We have the WR talent to exploit that. We need Caleb to figure it out quickly too. Fortunately Ben Johnson is no stranger to their tricks. Being at home where our players can hear each other helps a lot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted Friday at 12:31 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 12:31 PM 16 hours ago, AZ54 said: All the smoke and mirrors they use at the LOS pre-snap means defenders are out of position. We have the WR talent to exploit that. We need Caleb to figure it out quickly too. Fortunately Ben Johnson is no stranger to their tricks. Being at home where our players can hear each other helps a lot too. I dont know if we did enough this year to beat Minny but having a rookie QB will help. Jefferson is not 100% yet and Addison will not be playing. BJ has did well against the Vikings in the past so I think he knows how to scheme a lot of success for us. The big key is will Caleb get the ball out quick because clearly in the preseason targets were open a lot. I think we could win this game but we may not be ready in the first game . I think after the bye week we will look much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted Friday at 01:06 PM Author Report Share Posted Friday at 01:06 PM 34 minutes ago, Stinger226 said: I dont know if we did enough this year to beat Minny but having a rookie QB will help. Jefferson is not 100% yet and Addison will not be playing. BJ has did well against the Vikings in the past so I think he knows how to scheme a lot of success for us. The big key is will Caleb get the ball out quick because clearly in the preseason targets were open a lot. I think we could win this game but we may not be ready in the first game . I think after the bye week we will look much better. Crazy to see this sequence again. Bears down by 10 with 1:11, scored 10 pts in 19 seconds and still lost in OT. This was in the middle of the losing streak. With Johnson, there is no way the Bears lose this game. This was a Flus special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearFan PHX Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago The Vegas line right now seems to be Vikings at home are favored 1 to 1.5 points. That means at a neutral site, we would be favored. Any time you're within 3 points, coaching could easily win or lose the game. Obviously coaching is always important, but within 1.5 points, it matters even more. I really need to see a pass rush. Please football gods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo3451 Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 2 hours ago, BearFan PHX said: I really need to see a pass rush. Please football gods. I believe you will. The D has played the vanilla scheme. DA doesn't do vanilla... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearFan PHX Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 50 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said: I believe you will. The D has played the vanilla scheme. DA doesn't do vanilla... right. and with the line only being 1 or 1.5 this is anyones game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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