Success of Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy vs. Bears hinges on one key element, and he’s already proven he can do it

It’s a simple game plan, but can J.J. McCarthy execute it?

Kole Noble, Tyler Forness
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Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after defeating the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Matt Marton-Imagn Images

It’s been a very up-and-down first year starting at quarterback for J.J. McCarthy.

Through his first four games, McCarthy has been all over the place. He’s had incredible highs and brutal lows. There isn’t a better personification of his season thus far than the season opener against the Chicago Bears.

The first three quarters were rough for McCarthy, but he stepped up in the fourth quarter with three touchdowns in a 27-24 win. It earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week and showed what he can do.

J.J. McCarthy will have similar challenge to Week 1 vs. Bears

While the Bears have been better than the Vikings record-wise at 6-3, their defensive approach hasn’t changed all that much, as they are still without cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Our Bears beat writer Kole Noble explains that their scheme and personnel will be very similar to their Week 1 meeting.

“Realistically, the Bears will be deploying a very similar defense personnel-wise the Vikings faced in the season opener being without Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon in the secondary. Scheme-wise Chicago is still an aggressive-minded unit when it comes to playing press man in coverage and getting after the quarterback up-front, either with a four-man rush or sending extra pressure from the second level.”

Without their top-two cornerbacks, it should theoretically be a field day for McCarthy with wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Remember that Addison and left tackle Christian Darrisaw didn’t play in the first meeting. That’s also the same for the Bears’ defense, which will feature a couple of new faces on defense.

“Minnesota will face some new threats in Week 11 against this defense in defensive end Austin Booker and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson has been the most noteworthy addition to this unit with three sacks in his two games since joining the Bears, but the return of Booker has ramped up the four-man pass rush as well, playing opposite Montez Sweat, who’s starting to heat up himself the last four games.”

Being able to attack those players and take advantage of the weak spots on a defense that is last in the NFL in quick pressures, while the Vikings are the first.

Attacking the big weaknesses of the Bears’ defense is the key to getting the win, and McCarthy figured it out late in the game. If he figures it out from the start, this could end up being a blowout.

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