Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears on Monday night

McCarthy is just 3 of 4 for 13 yards so far.

— Emily Leiker

It's been slow going in the passing game for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy against the Bears in the season opener. (CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Q2, 8:55 - Bears 7, Vikings 3

The Bears opted to stay on the field for a fourth-and-3 at the Vikings 24, even after a timeout where it seemed they might reconsider and take the three points. Perhaps Ben Johnson’s ode to his former boss, Lions head coach Dan Campbell? Caleb Williams tried for D.J. Moore over the middle with Josh Metellus in coverage. Looked like Metellus might have gotten a fingertip on it. Either way, the ball went incomplete (Williams’ first incompletion of the game, and the Bears turned the ball over on downs.

— Emily Leiker

The Vikings defense has yet to register an official hit on Williams behind the line of scrimmage through 14 dropbacks full of quick throws, max protections and scrambles.

— Andrew Krammer

Q1, 7:04 - Bears 7, Vikings 0

Caleb Williams led the Bears on a bit longer opening drive than his 2024 draft class mate. He completed 6-of-6 attempts for 51 yards. The Vikings defense stalled them just around the Minnesota 30-yard line, bringing up the Bears’ first third down. Out of a timeout and under pressure from Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman, Williams found a diving Rome Odunze for 17 yards and the conversion. The next third down in the red zone, Williams rolled out left and in to the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown run. Bears lead, 7-0.

— Emily Leiker

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) scores the game's first touchdown on a 9-yard run in the first quarter. (CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Q1, 12:45 - Vikings 0, Bears 0

That’s a three-and-out for J.J. McCarthy’s first regular-season drive. He tossed to Aaron Jones on first down for a 3-yard rush and connected with Josh Oliver on second down for 5 yards, but was sacked by Gervon Dexter on third down trying to scramble up the middle for the conversion.

— Emily Leiker

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks for room to run during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears. (CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

7:10 p.m. - New rules to watch

A few notable rule changes you may notice tonight:

Referees will use a virtual measuring system called Hawk-Eye to determine first downs, rather than using chains.

The new kickoff format introduced last year remains in place, but the touchback has been moved to the 35-yard line to encourage more returns. Teams still have to declare they will attempt an onside kick, but the play will no longer be limited to the fourth quarter. .

The regular season overtime rule will now match the postseason, with each team getting a possession even if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown.

Replay assist was expanded to include the possibility of overturning penalties like facemasks, contact to the head and neck, horse-collar tackles and tripping.

— Naila-Jean Meyers

6:35 p.m. - Teams honor Annunciation

Many players and coaches at Soldier Field wore T-shirts honoring Annunciation Catholic School, after two children were killed and 21 people were wounded in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church on Aug. 27. The shirts were a joint idea from Vikings leadership and their social impact team. The slogan on the back of the shirts is Annunciation’s “School Essential Agreement,” which says, “Be kind, be respectful, be inclusive, be my best self, be brave.” The Bears were extended an invitation to wear the shirts and agreed. The Vikings will also wear them before their home opener at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Falcons next Sunday night.

— Emily Leiker

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, right, with special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, who is wearing a shirt with "Essential Agreement" of Annunciation Catholic School on the back. (CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

6:25 p.m. - Keeping eye out for purple

With about an hour to kickoff, Soldier Field is still in the early process of filling up, but there is a good smattering of purple in the stands and down on the field. We’ll see what it looks like closer to game time.

— Emily Leiker

6:20 p.m. - Homecoming for J.J. McCarthy

I knew J.J. McCarthy grew up in suburban Chicago but knew nothing about his family’s fandom of the Bears until a tipster told me the story about J.J.’s dad taking him to his first NFL game in 2007 and that the Vikings were the opponent that day.

What are the odds?

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