NFL

Vikings 27, Bears 24

Did you hear that crash? That was the odds of the Bears winning the NFC North slamming into the ground. Chicago has struggled in divisional games for years, and it appears that monkey is still on the back of the franchise.

This contest, however, was more about the Vikings. Minnesota, too, saw its playoff odds shift throughout the evening, and the rise and fall of them correlated with the play of J.J. McCarthy.

The 2024 first-round pick didn’t get a chance to play as a rookie due to a preseason injury. That, along with limited action for him in this year’s preseason, might’ve contributed to a poor first half last night. The Vikings simply couldn’t move the ball in the game’s early going, as the Bears stacked the box and showed no fear of McCarthy.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the second half was much of the same. McCarthy threw a dreadful pick-six (aren’t they all dreadful?) soon after halftime, and Minnesota appeared despondent following the play. That led to an 11-point lead for Chicago, but frankly, it felt like it should’ve been more.

As it turned out, the Bears’ smaller than expected lead would loom large. McCarthy, thanks to him finally locating Justin Jefferson, started to get going. The passer finished 13-of-20 for 143 yards and two touchdowns with the pick-six, and it was just enough. McCarthy’s late heroics should have the Vikings feeling solid with him moving forward, but he wasn’t the team’s star of the night.

That honor goes to Brian Flores. Flores’ capabilities as a head coach are in question, but he’s one of the very best defensive coordinators in the league. He’s shrewd, adaptable and always finds away to inhibit opposing offenses.

One of his most important chess pieces is Andrew Van Ginkel. The linebacker was a second-team All-Pro last season, and it looks like his play won’t dip this year. Van Ginkel made a few critical plays last night, helping get Minnesota’s defense off the field.

Van Ginkel recorded five tackles and two passes defensed in this victory.

The Bears roared — for their standards — to a fast start yesterday. After not scoring a first-drive touchdown all of last season, Chicago struck quickly with a Caleb Williams rushing touchdown. Those points were telling, as Williams was a magician in the early going, consistently avoiding rushers to either scramble for a gain or hit a strike downfield. The 2024 No. 1 overall selection, at least for a while, looked the part.

Like McCarthy, the script flipped for Williams. The Bears suddenly stopped moving the ball, and the more Chicago’s offense struggled, the more the masses began questioning Ben Johnson. Those questions are, of course, silly, but early overreactions are early overreactions; they’re always going to happen.

Williams’ night could’ve been better, but Chicago’s offense had some nice plays to build off of. The quarterback went 21-of-35 for 211 yards and a score. He also rushed for 58 yards.

The Bears remade the interior offensive line over the spring, adding Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. I thought the unit looked cohesive and dependable in this tilt, working together to thwart interior rushes. They weren’t perfect, but Chicago’s protection is going to be much better this season. That will obviously benefit Williams.

On defense, the Bears were okay at best. T.J. Edwards missed the game, but it didn’t really show. Noah Sewell, his replacement, teamed well with Tremaine Edmunds, as the duo combined for 16 tackles. Conversely, Chicago desperately missed its top cornerback, Jaylon Johnson. Thankfully, he should return soon.

Week 1 is a long way from January, but close divisional games dictate who makes it to that month. For now, the journey for the Bears is going to be a heck of a lot more difficult than it would’ve been had they hung on. The Vikings, though, are in pretty good shape. Winning on the road — even at average opponents — is hard, and Minnesota did so with a signal-caller making his first start. Kevin O’Connell is a wizard, and he guided the Vikings to this crucial win.

Eagles receive:
RB Tank Bigsby

Jaguars receive:
2026 fifth-round pick
2026 sixth-round pick

The Jaguars entered this season with what looked to be a messy backfield situation. Travis Etienne, the incumbent starter, appeared on the outs. Bigsby, last year’s backup, was gaining steam. Bhayshul Tuten, this year’s fourth-round selection, had some summer hype. However, Etienne carried the load in Week 1, and appears to have made Bigsby expendable in the process.

The Eagles, with a semi need at backup running back, are swooping in. Bigsby carried the ball five times for 12 yards on Sunday, and he’ll probably assume a similar workload with Philadelphia.

Parting with two picks for Bigsby is an interesting decision, but the Eagles are all in. Any trade that makes the team better is defensible.

Eagles Grade: C-

Jaguars Grade: B+

49ers sign OT Colton McKivitz to three-year, $45 million contract extension

The 49ers need to protect their heavy investment into Brock Purdy, and keeping McKivitz around helps them do that. The 29-year-old is one of the better right tackles in the NFL, combining with the elite Trent Williams to form a nearly impenetrable wall on the outside of the offensive line.

This is a mid-tier starting right tackle money and the solid McKivitz is more than worth it.

Grade: B+

49ers sign WR Kendrick Bourne to one-year, $5 million contract

Yesterday was an active day for the 49ers. The franchise planned on signing Bourne for a while, and it’s finally come to fruition.

The 30-year-old isn’t an impact player, and he’s not worth the $5 million he’ll be paid. However, San Francisco doesn’t have much at wide receiver currently outside of Ricky Pearsall, so maybe Bourne will be a factor.

Bourne caught 28 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown last year with the Patriots.

Grade: C-

MLB

Guardians 10, Royals 2

As we inch towards the middle of September, this four-game series could be an eliminator of sorts. Both teams are at least two games out the final AL wild-card spot, so anything other than a split set could result in the loser falling too far back.

Under normal circumstances, the Guardians scoring 10 runs would be breaking news, but Slade Cecconi stole the show, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Cleveland has needed more from the 26-year-old, so perhaps this outing can spearhead a strong finish for him.

Ryan Bergert, acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline, had been excellent with the Royals, but yesterday marked his first bad start with the club. Lasting only 3 1/3 innings, the right-hander allowed eight earned runs, handing Cecconi more than enough support.

Kansas City needs to respond today, and fortunately it has stellar rookie Noah Cameron on the bump.