Aaron Rodgers returns clock in a revenge game with the Jets
USA Today Sports’ Chris Bumbaca defeated a 34-32 victory by the Steelers at the Jets in the game where the Aaron Rodgers beat their previous teams.
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Hopes for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are sky high in 2025. Find Top Building for “Monday Night Football” vs. Minnesota Vikings.
The NFC North Matchup on Monday night features teams that have only gone from 5 to 12, showing that pretty well, but for some good reasons. The first is the employment of new head coach Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ former offensive coordinator.
Under Johnson, the Lions boasted one of the most fun, effective and innovative crimes in football. That could portend a good for Williams, the 2024 overall pick who has forgotten his rookie season.
However, they face tough jobs against visiting vikings. Minnesota is finishing its stellar season in 2024. This is the season where he finished 14-3, 2nd in the NFC North. However, there are major changes in the center. 2024 first round pick JJ McCarthy returns after missing the entire season with a knee injury.
Everyone can guess how McCarthy will perform in his first season as Vikings QB1, but that makes the first showdown of the 2025 “MNF” even more interesting.
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The Detroit Lions were one of the most offensive teams when it came to going for the fourth time in Ben Johnson’s era. He took that trend into his first game as a coach for the Bears.
However, Chicago was unable to convert fourth and third. Caleb Williams overturned DJ Moore, who opened over the stick, resulting in incomplete sales and down sales.
Darnold plays for the Seattle Seahawks. He signed a three-year contract with the Seahawks in free agency. The Vikings walked him to allow JJ McCarthy to take over as the team’s starting quarterback.
JJ McCarthy leads the first scoring drive of his NFL career. The Vikings couldn’t punch on a touchdown, but Will Reichard scored a chip shot and a 31-yard field goal that could reduce Minnesota’s deficit to four points.
McCarthy had a nice 11-yard scramble on the drive, but his biggest play was a 42-yard pass interference penalty drawn by Aaron Jones on Bears cornerback Nursion Wright.
Bears 7, Viking 3
So far, it’s been very good for Johnson. The Bears scored a touchdown on his first drive as team coach, and Caleb Williams looked far more comfortable than at any point in his rookie season.
Williams completed all nine passes for 56 yards in the first quarter. More impressively, he ran for 21 yards, gave touchdowns on two carrys, and found a room of ample running behind the improved offensive line.
Meanwhile, his opponent, 2024 draft rep JJ McCarthy, completed his only pass attempt in the quarter, but was fired twice with two threes and an out to open the game. The 22-year-old is his first NFL start, so it may take him time to settle in his new role.
Caleb Williams continued playing on the ground and in the air on Chicago’s second drive, but he had the worst throw of the day in the third and second. He threw a quick screen at Odunze, but the pass was behind the receiver, which adapted to it and went to the ground to catch it.
Odunze landed quickly, and the Bears returned the ball to the Vikings with less than a minute left in the first quarter to punt the ball.
Sam Darnold was the Vikings quarterback last season. He began all 17 games in Minnesota in 2024, leading him to a 14-3 record. He posted a career-leading 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, creating the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after the Vikings decided to make JJ McCarthy the first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft the starting quarterback.
For the second straight time, the Vikings were forced to punt for McCarthy’s third bag. This time, the first year starter tried to scramble into the open lane, but he stumbled and was unable to return to the line of scrimmage.
The Bears regain the ball on their own 25-yard line with a seven-point lead.
The Bears added a “VMH” jersey patch to pay tribute to former owner Virginia Haras McCasky, who passed away in February at the age of 102.
Williams hadn’t rushed a touchdown during his first NFL season. His first score for the 2025 campaign was when he ran to his left and ran through the power through Jeff Okda’s hit, bringing the bear on the board.
Williams also passed six times for 51 yards on his first drive. Cairo Santos makes the extra points to give the Bears a 7-0 early lead.
Bears 7, Vikings 0
JJ McCarthy’s first NFL drive ended with a bag of Gervon Dexter Sr. McCarthy.
What time will the Bears vs. Vikings match bears tonight?
- Start time: 8:15pm and (7:15pm)
The Bears vs Viking matchup is scheduled to kick off at 8:15pm ET. The Vikings travel to Soldier Field in Chicago and face off against the enemy of the division.
Which TV channel is the Bears vs. Vikings game?
ESPN is the broadcast home for Monday Night Football. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman call, while Lisa Salters patrols the bystanders.
Bears vs Viking odds, money line, o/u
Week 1 will offer plenty of entertainment and the show could begin in Chicago with Ben Johnson in town. The Bears have a praised head coach. Meanwhile, the Vikings are off the 14-3 season, but JJ McCarthy is making his NFL debut.
Chicago has made incredible progress in improving the most notable personnel in the lost trench, when the game won and is most prominent. It’s time to believe in our products. Minnesota doesn’t have second wide receiver Jordan Addison tonight due to a pause. His absence is noteworthy as Chicago’s defense locks Justin Jefferson. Chicago shows that it’s ready for prime time. – Tom Viera
prediction: Bears 24, Viking 20
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The Steelers are associated with New England patriots.
Pittsburgh and Dallas have a unique distinction that they play each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history, than any other team combination in three matchups.
- Green Bay Packers (1-0)
- Minnesota Viking (0-0)
- Chicago Bears (0-0)
- Detroit Lions (0-1)
Thursday, September 4th
Philadelphia Eagles 24,Dallas Cowboys 20
Friday, September 5th
Los Angeles Chargers 27Kansas City Chiefs 21
Sunday, September 7th
- Las Vegas Raiders 20New England Patriot 13
- Pittsburgh Steelers 34New York Jets 32
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23Atlanta Falcons 20
- Indianapolis Colts 33Miami Dolphins 8
- Arizona Cardinals 20New Orleans Saints 13
- Commander 21New York Giants 6
- Cincinnati Bengals 17Cleveland Browns 16
- Jacksonville Jaguars 26Carolina Panthers 10
- San Francisco 49ers 17Seattle Seahawks 13
- Green Bay Packers 27Detroit Lions 13
- Los Angeles Rams 14Houston Texans 9
- Denver Broncos 20Tennessee Titan 12
- Buffalo Bill 41Baltimore Ravens 40
The 2024 general pick arrived at the Soldiers Field wearing the Bears legend Brian Urlacher jersey.
Justin Jefferson, an offensive player of the year perennial candidate, arrived at Soldier Field before kickoff for his sixth NFL season.
- 1. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+310)
- 2. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+550)
- 3. QB Joe Barrow, Cincinnati Bengals (+750)
- T4. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+1000)
- T4. QB Jayden Daniels, Commander Washington (+1000)
- 6. QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+1200)
- 7. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+1400)
- 8. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+1500)
- 9. QB Block Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (+2500)
- 10. QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3000)
Chicago has a new coaching staff in 2025. Ben Johnson’s headline made it to the field for his NFL head coaching debut in Monday Night Football.
Thielen was originally scheduled to play the 2025 NFL season on a one-year, $8.5 million restructured deal that he inked with the Panthers during the offseason, per Spotrac.com. The deal provided the 35-year-old with the opportunity to win an additional $4 million. Tom Pelissero reports that Thielen has agreed to cut her salary by $2 million. He also removed a potential $4 million incentive from the contract.
Thanks to the Viking’s adjustments, the Viking still has just under $16.2 million in cap space. It ranks 13th in the NFL, according to OverThecap.com, and places the team with flexibility to improve their roster during the 2025 NFL season. – Jacob Kamenker
