Bears Collapse in Second Half, Fall to Vikings 27–24 at Soldier Field

For much of Sunday’s matchup at Soldier Field, it looked like the Chicago Bears were on their way to an encouraging Week 1 win. The defense set the tone early, and quarterback Caleb Williams gave fans a glimpse of what the future could hold. But a second-half collapse on both sides of the ball let the Minnesota Vikings storm back and steal a 27–24 victory.

Fast Start on Both Sides of the Ball

The Bears’ defense came out firing, holding Minnesota to back-to-back three-and-outs and forcing field goals when the Vikings did manage to move the ball. By halftime, Chicago had surrendered only six points.

On the other side, Williams wasted no time making his mark. He capped the Bears’ opening drive with his first career touchdown run, energizing the home crowd. Behind a clean pocket and confident decision-making, Williams completed his first 10 passes and raised expectations even higher.

Penalties, however, became an issue as the half wore on. The Bears racked up 12 flags for 127 yards over the course of the game, stalling promising drives and keeping points off the board.

Momentum Swings in the Third Quarter

The second half began with a jolt of excitement for Bears fans. Cornerback Nashon Wright, who spent last year on Minnesota’s practice squad, intercepted quarterback J.J. McCarthy and returned it 74 yards for a pick-six. It was the only score of the third quarter, giving Chicago a 17–6 lead and control of the game.

But that would be the high point.

Vikings Take Over Late

In the fourth quarter, the Bears unraveled. McCarthy shook off his earlier mistake and took over the game, throwing two touchdown passes and adding a rushing score of his own. Minnesota outscored Chicago 21–7 in the final period, turning what seemed like a comfortable Bears win into a crushing 27–24 defeat.

Offensive Struggles

Williams’ final stat line was solid for a debut: 21-of-35 passing for 210 yards and a touchdown, plus 58 rushing yards and a rushing score. He showed poise, quick decision-making, and the ability to escape pressure — taking only two sacks and avoiding costly turnovers. Still, there were missed throws, especially late when Minnesota pressured him. Williams often waited until receivers were out of their breaks, instead of anticipating their routes, which stalled drives.

The Bears’ run game was another concern. D’Andre Swift and D.J. Moore combined for just 61 yards in the second half, barely outpacing Williams’ rushing total. Without a consistent ground attack, defenses will have no reason to load the box, making it harder for the passing game to open up.

Defense Shows Fight but Runs Out of Gas

Chicago’s defense deserves credit for its first-half effort, especially given the absence of key starters Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and T.J. Edwards. The secondary held one of the league’s top receivers to just four catches, while the pass rush consistently pressured McCarthy.

Still, the run defense once again showed cracks, allowing Mason to average 4.5 yards per carry up the middle. That weakness kept Minnesota in manageable situations and wore down the Bears late.

Key Takeaways

• Penalties remain a problem. Pre-snap miscues killed drives and momentum.

• Finishing drives is crucial. Too many red-zone trips ended in field goals or empty possessions.

• Caleb Williams showed promise. Flashes of brilliance but still room to grow in anticipation and handling pressure.

• Run game concerns. Without production from Swift and Moore, defenses won’t respect the ground attack.

• Defense was strong early. Despite missing starters, the unit held tough until the fourth quarter collapse.

Looking Ahead

The Bears let a golden opportunity slip away, and what felt like a statement win instead turned into a frustrating loss. With a tough road trip to Detroit looming in Week 2, Chicago will need to clean up penalties, establish the run, and finish drives if they want to avoid starting the season 0–2.