It was a highly-anticipated matchup between two 2024 first-round draft picks, J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings and Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
By one half of play on Monday night time, it was Williams with the higher hand, scrambling for the sport’s only TD in the opening 30 minutes.
McCarthy, then again, by no means actually had an opportunity to get going, having to continually evade stress within the pocket. When he did have time to throw, he was solely 5-of-8 for 48 yards with one rush for 11 yards. 28 of these yards got here on McCarthy’s remaining move of the half, a reference to extensive receiver Jalen Nailor that led to a career-long 59-yard subject purpose from Will Reichard to make it a 10-6 Bears lead on the break.
