Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has forgettable start in debut vs. Bears

Minnesota only had four first downs in the first half compared to Chicago's eight and went 0-for-5 on third down. A lack of a run game (35 yards) certainly did not help McCarthy, who had to shoulder the load in the opening half.

It only got worse for McCarthy on the Vikings' opening drive of the second half. As McCarthy tried to find Justin Jefferson on a 3rd-and-8, he was picked off by Bears CB Nahshon Wright, who took it 74 yards the other way for a TD.

McCarthy made his long-awaited NFL debut after his injury

McCarthy was supposed to make his debut last season until a torn right meniscus ended his rookie year before it even began in the preseason. Current Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold led the team to 14 wins and a playoff berth last season, so the talent is definitely around McCarthy, especially with the All-Pro receiver Jefferson as a go-to option.

McCarthy is familiar with the spotlight as a national champion with Michigan. If he can get some time to operate in the pocket and start getting the ball down the field more, this offense could look completely different.

At least for the opening half of play against the Bears and part of the second half, the play-calling was extremely conservative. On the bright side, the defense did its part aside from the opening TD from Chicago. If the offense can get some momentum established and McCarthy can get comfortable, things could start to look a little different for Minnesota moving forward.