The Chicago Bears, with quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm, are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This season, Williams and the Bears have demonstrated their potential in the highly competitive landscape of the NFL. McCarthy, who initially impressed by guiding the Vikings to a comeback victory over Chicago in the season opener with a record-setting three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his debut, has faced challenges since suffering an ankle sprain. A knee injury sidelined him for the entirety of his rookie year, causing further disruption to his development.
As McCarthy returns to the field, he aims to maintain his perfect record against NFC North opponents. “The magnitude of every single game in the NFL, all the intense attention on every single week, it”s a lot. Young guys can get wrapped up in that emotional rollercoaster,” McCarthy stated, acknowledging the pressure that comes with the league. “It”s just all about staying focused on the things in front of you.”
The Vikings have invested heavily in their offensive and defensive lines, trusting that head coach Kevin O”Connell and his staff can effectively develop McCarthy while still contending. However, injuries to key players and unexpected struggles at various positions have complicated those plans. McCarthy has recorded seven turnovers in four games, with a passer rating of 65.8, ranking among the lowest in the league.
“The standard I have for myself is the same as what the team has for them,” McCarthy remarked. “Yes, we”ve got to understand there”s a lot of growth in my development personally, but I”m doing whatever I can to make sure it”s a championship-worthy performance week in and week out.”
In contrast, Williams has enjoyed a more successful start this season, overcoming a rocky rookie campaign. Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who previously led a high-scoring offense in Detroit, Williams has shown significant improvement, throwing only four turnovers and leading the Bears to six wins in nine games, including four fourth-quarter comebacks. Johnson”s emphasis on the running game has alleviated pressure on Williams, allowing him to find his rhythm as a passer.
“There probably is just a little bit of, “OK, this is my wheelhouse. I know we”re going to throw it and the defense knows we”re going to throw it, and yet I can go ahead and make a play,”” Johnson explained.
For the Bears, Williams has been a consistent presence, participating in every game, with limited snaps going to backup Tyson Bagent. “One of the most important things to being an athlete, to trying to be a star in this league, is actually being able to be out there,” Williams noted, emphasizing the importance of recovery to maintain his health.
In their first encounter this season, Williams showcased his dual-threat ability, rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. Recently, he has returned to utilizing his legs effectively, adding 63 rushing yards and another score last week. “Caleb Williams is maybe the slipperiest quarterback out there right now,” remarked Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, who missed four games due to injury. “We”re saying he”s almost Houdini-like, what he”s able to do, how he”s able to extend plays and get out of the pocket.”
Following a loss to Baltimore, McCarthy and his teammates have spent extra time refining their communication and cadence to enhance their on-field synchronization. “We identified some areas where we can have a little bit more poise to the communication, and that”s not just the quarterback,” O”Connell said, noting the importance of teamwork in executing plays.
On the defensive side, Bears cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has recently joined the team after stints in Houston and Baltimore, has quickly made an impact with three sacks in two games. His experience is invaluable, especially with injuries affecting key secondary players like two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
As the Bears prepare for this critical matchup against the Vikings, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths while navigating the challenges posed by injuries and performance inconsistencies.
