SKOL from the Sofa

2025 Week 1 – Vikings at Bears

It’s been a long, old summer, but meaningful football is finally back, which means Skol from the Sofa is back too! In this week’s edition of our fan review series, Andy Thorp has his say about a bit of Monday night magic for the Minnesota Vikings.

A gritty start, a gutsy finish

Trailing 17–6 deep into the third quarter, courtesy of a Bears pick-six, this game was veering dangerously away from the Vikings. But that’s when J. J. McCarthy, on his NFL debut, flipped the script – and how! In the fourth quarter alone, he accounted for three touchdowns: two through the air and one on the ground, plus a two-point conversion, transforming the scoreboard into a Minnesota masterpiece and sealing a 27–24 comeback win.

The moment that changed everything

The tide started turning with McCarthy’s composed pass to Aaron Jones – a 27-yard strike finishing off a drive that was aided by a pivotal defensive pass interference call. From there, the Vikings mounted an unstoppable 21-point surge in the final frame.

Defensive resolve in crunch time

Minnesota’s defense held firm when it mattered most – delivering six straight third-down stops to strangle the Bears’ final comeback hopes. The Brian Flores-led defense has come back with vengeance! Javon Hargrave looks a very astute addition, twice sacking Caleb Williams and adding a new dimension to an already dangerous pass rush.

What McCarthy showed us

A first-year starter at QB, McCarthy didn’t just survive his first regular-season game – he owned it. Finishing with 143 passing yards, two passing TDs, one rushing TD, and a decidedly poised attitude in the pocket, he announced his arrival in the NFL with a flourish. McCarthy turned up when it mattered!

What’s next for the Vikings?

Momentum is on Minnesota’s side. After a roller-coaster opener, they’ll now carry renewed confidence into Week 2 at home against Atlanta with the hope McCarthy can sustain the fourth-quarter magic and inject fresh life into a championship-chasing squad?

Do you want to have your say about an upcoming Vikings game? Is something really grinding your gears? You can have your say right here in Skol from the Sofa. Just drop us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or send us a DM on any of our social media channels.