In just two months, JJ McCarthy is set to make a comeback, while Caleb Williams aims to surpass his impressive rookie year in his second season. As both quarterbacks gear up for a strong return in 2025, BetMGM bettors are already placing bets on their first significant challenge when the Vikings face off against the Bears in Week 1.
Sportsbook reports that 78% of early Monday Night Football betting money is on Chicago at -1.5 points, while 62% of the money line bets favor the Vikings at -105. The big question is which team will emerge victorious in this exciting NFC North matchup to kick off the season.
Looking at the odds as of July 1st on BetMGM for the Vikings vs. Bears game (September 8th, 8:15 PM ET on ESPN): the point spread favors the Bears by 1.5 points, the money line has the Bears as slight favorites at -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70), and the Vikings at +105 (bet $10 to win $19.52), with a total over/under of 44.5 points combined.
McCarthy missed his entire 2024 season due to meniscus tears and subsequent surgery, raising questions about whether he can lead the Vikings to an upset at Soldier Field in Week 1. Fox Sports NFL reporter Henry McKenna expressed uncertainty about McCarthy’s post-injury form, emphasizing that quarterbacks rarely return at 100% right after knee injuries.
On the other hand, “First Things First” co-host Chris Broussard has high expectations for Caleb Williams, who made significant progress in his rookie year. Broussard noted that many high-draft quarterbacks improve in their second year and believes Caleb showed promising flashes. Williams finished the 2024 season with 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and was sacked 68 times, the most in the league.
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Fan Take: This matchup highlights the rising stars of the NFL quarterback scene and offers fans a thrilling preview of the next generation’s impact on the league. McCarthy’s comeback and Williams’ continued growth could shape their teams’ fortunes and inject fresh excitement into the NFC North rivalry.
