Final Score: Vikings 27 Bears 24
The Ben Johnson era got off to a rocky start last night as JJ McCarthy and the Vikings stole a win in Soldier Field. After a poor first three quarters, McCarthy secured the victory in his first career NFL start after leading Minnesota to touchdown drives on three straight possessions in the 4th quarter. The Bears dominated the first half in every stat besides the score. After a phenomenal first drive, Chicago carried only a four-point lead into half despite leading 31-19 in plays ran, and 8-4 in first downs. The Vikings kept it close and were able to strike and stun the Bears in the 4th quarter.
After Nashon Wright’s pick-six extended Chicago’s lead to 17-6 in the 3rd quarter, Minnesota seemed dead in the water. A combination of penalties, poor quarterback play, and defensive breakdowns enabled JJ McCarthy’s storybook ending to Monday Night Football.
Glaring Issues
Caleb Williams Has Much Room for Improvement
Williams didn’t look how we’d hoped heading into the game. To start off with the positive observations: he was a wizard in terms of pocket presence. He did a fantastic job of stepping up in the pocket and/or sensing and evading pressure when he needed to. There were multiple instances where he impressively slithered out of dangerous situations and turned in good scrambles. The main critique of his game last season was his tendency to take sacks by holding onto the ball too long, and we saw none of that.
Caleb also was great when it came to “backyard football”. In scenarios where he was forced out of the pocket, he shined. An insane throw to a streaking Rome Odunze comes to mind. However, Williams struggled when it came to normal, rhythm passes. There were several key opportunities that he simply missed. Two plays involving a wide open DJ Moore are perfect examples. He missed him in the first half near the redzone on a crucial 4th-and-3. Moore was wide open, but couldn’t reach the overthrown ball. He also found himself free in late in the 4th quarter, but Williams saw him late and ended up overthrowing him once again.
I will also add that the offensive struggles are also an indictment on Ben Johnson. The Bears’ only touchdown drive came on a possession where nearly every successful play felt like Caleb Williams improvising. The Johnson offense didn’t seem to be the reason behind the touchdown. Hopefully, everything just needs time to gel.
Pre-Snap Penalties Were Devastating
Penalties also killed the Bears, specifically pre-snap. Despite a debilitating 42-yard pass interference call on Nashon Wright (filling in for injured star CB Jaylon Johnson), most of Chicago’s 11 penalties came on offense. OT Darnell Wright, OG Jonah Jackson, and WR DJ Moore each snagged multiple penalties, mostly related to confusion before the snap.
In a new, complex offense, this was expected. However, I didn’t expect the penalties to this extent. Ben Johnson knows that there is going to be a learning period, but Monday’s performance still should’ve been better and he will undoubtedly hammer that home in practice this week.
Already-Depleted Defense Crippled Late
Down Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and TJ Edwards, the defense held up well–for three quarters. The injuries finally caught up to the unit late as it gave up three straight touchdown drives. All of a sudden, Minnesota began plowing through the defensive line on the ground. Vikings RB Jordan Mason was getting anything he wanted and Minnesota rode that to victory.
Cairo Santos is an Issue
Kicker Cairo Santos is officially an issue for Chicago. Throughout his tenure with the Bears, he has shown excellent accuracy within 40 yards (100%). However, anything past that is a question mark. From 40-49 yards out Cario is–oddly enough–40/49 (81%), unacceptable from that distance.
Santos also doesn’t have the potential to hit long ones. While this may have been acceptable 10-15 years ago, this iteration of the NFL is seeing most kickers sinking 50-yarders with ease. In today’s game, in fact, Vikings kicker Will Reichard nailed a 59-yarder. The Bears couldn’t even attempt a kick that long due to Santos’ leg strength. They are losing points in the kicking game.
Bright Spots
On the bright side, the Bears defensive line performed much better than I expected. Newly acquired edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo, who had a very quiet training camp, was all over the field. He racked up a sack and two QB hits, giving JJ McCarthy something to worry about.
DT Gervon Dexter Sr. had a similar story last night, also recording a sack. Lastly, veteran edge Tanoh Kpassagnon had a suprisingly notable night highlighted by a sack and two QB hits.
Standout Performers
Javon Hargrave
In a game without any gaudy individual stats, Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave sticks out the most. He posted two sacks in the contest, both in the 4th quarter. Both came on first downs and were massive plays that ultimately ended their respective drives. In the four total plays following Hargrave sacks, the Bears threw three incomplete passes and ran one rushing play–a loss of one yard. Hargrave set the tone for the 4th quarter.
Jordan Mason
Former 49ers running back Jordan Mason also deserves some love for his Week 1 performance. Though his statline doesn’t scream out at you (15 carries for 68 yards), his ability to gain yardage at will specifically in the 4th quarter was demoralizing for the Chicago defense and gave Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell a safe playcall to lean on. This also took the pressure off of the young quarterback.
Key Drive of the Game
The drive that turned this game around was Minnesota’s first possession of the 4th quarter. The campaign was capped off by a Justin Jefferson touchdown reception, instilling confidence in JJ McCarthy and bringing the Vikings within 5 points. At this point, the Bears offense had completely stalled out and Minnesota already had all the momentum following a Cairo Santos missed field goal attempt. After another quick 3-and-out directly following this drive, I knew that Chicago was going to lose. They couldn’t move the ball anymore, and Minnesota showed in this possession that it had figured out Dennis Allen’s defense. The writing was on the wall.