Week 1 is in the books. Texas lost to Ohio State and it sure looks like Arch Manning needs more time. It was a good game though. LSU vs Clemson was also a good game. Alabama lost to Florida State which was an upset. Got to be tough on Bama fan now that Saban is gone. Kansas State barely beat North Dakota after losing in week zero. The game of the week was Notre Dame vs Miami. I’m not sure why Notre Dame did not give Jeremiyah Love more touches. 10 carries and 4 receptions is not utilizing your best...

As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to take on the Chicago Bears on Monday night in the Windy City, one of several sub-plots is this first matchup between 2024 first-round drafted quarterbacks – #1 overall Caleb Williams and #10 overall J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy of course missed the 2024 season with a torn meniscus while Williams struggled in his rookie campaign. This first matchup comes as a bombshell report from Tyler Dunne in which 32 anonimous sources- “coaches, scouts, execs, players and staffers inside Halas Hall” reveal that by the end of last season, Bears coaches concluded that Williams had a learning...

The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have issued the second of three injury reports in advance of their Monday Night matchup. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings

Good news on the injury front for Christian Darrisaw, who was a full participant in practice today after not practicing yesterday. I continue to think he’ll play on Monday night but Saturday’s injury report will be the last data point.

Harrison Smith was also limited, which is encouraging, especially if he is full-go tomorrow. We’ll see.

It looks increasingly like Elijah Williams and Zavier Scott will not play on Monday night, assuming they...

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Episode Notes:

• I wish we had access to this report before recording, but there’s a damning tell-all on Caleb Williams’ unwillingness to improve or learn as a quarterback with the Chicago Bears at Ty Dunne’s Newsletter, Go Long TD.
• James Dator at SB Nation has pointed out the “taunting problem” with regard to NFL enforcement before. This article goes back to 2021.
• The Kevin O’Connell offense has been fun to dissect. Matthew Coller did it for Purple Insider here and Nick Kehoe did for Football Film Room here. Wide Left has also done it...

We interrupt our coverage of Monday night’s contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears to bring you a significant bit of good news.

Hall of Famer Randy Moss has officially completed his cancer treatments! He, as many people who complete cancer treatment do, got an opportunity to ring the bell at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday upon completing his final appointment.

Moss was diagnosed with bile duct cancer around Thanksgiving of 2023. He underwent surgery to have part of the organ removed and then started undergoing chemotherapy.

After ringing the bell, Moss took a moment...

The NFC North kicks off with two divisional games. The Detroit Lions will go on the road to face the Green Bay Packers at 3:25 PM CDT on Sunday. We’ll have that as an appetizer to a juicy Sunday Night Football game and the Minnesota Vikings going on the road for Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Who do you have claiming the early NFC North lead on Sunday?

Detroit Lions

The defending NCF North champs will go on the road to start their divisional defense. They will miss both OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, who have...

The Minnesota Vikings face the Chicago Bears in a very meaningful Week 1 primetime showdown, and The Real Forno Show with Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano delivers the ultimate Vikings Bears Season Opener preview. Airing on Vikings 1st & SKOL, this Minnesota Vikings podcast episode dives into J.J. McCarthy’s debut, Brian Flores’ defensive tweaks, and the critical Justin Jefferson-Jaylon Johnson matchup.

Forness and Stefano unpack why this NFC North clash on Monday Night Football is a must-watch. From McCarthy’s fit in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme to Flores’ chess match against Ben Johnson, questioning if Caleb Williams fits Johnson’s rhythmic style, contrasted...

Old Memories and New

As I look back on the team that I begin the season with to defend my back-to-back championships in the Kings of the Gridiron Fist fantasy football league, I obviously have football on the mind. Last week was as close to “must-watch-tv” as we have seen since the draft with return of Adam Thielen to Minnesota and 80% of Micah Parsons getting traded to Green Bay. We got a little bit extra in what seemed like one of the longest off-seasons in recent memory. Personally, I think the offseason was long because of the excitement...

The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have released their first injury reports of the 2025-26 campaign in advance of their showdown on Monday Night Football to start the season. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings

Christian Darrisaw practiced yesterday, so apparently today’s day off may be part of the ramp-up program for him. I’m still guessing he plays on Monday night, but we’ll get more insight from the next two injury reports.

Harrison Smith has been dealing with an unknown illness for a few weeks now, which casts some doubt on his availability on Monday night. I’m a bit more...

The anticipation for the Minnesota Vikings’ season opener feels endless, much like a child counting down the days to Christmas. When the Vikings finally face off against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, who will step up to score the team’s first touchdown of the season?

Justin Jefferson

The league’s best WR isn’t known for scoring loads of TDs, averaging only 8 TDs per season through his first 5 seasons.

Aaron Jones Sr.

RB1 had only 5 TDs last season in Minnesota. He’s likely to see a lot of action as KOC tries to ease J.J. McCarthy into the...

The season begins today! Some of yous have given your season prediction in the Sept 2 thread which was great. What will be the biggest key for your prediction to come true? I would say the play of JJ McCarthy is likely the #1 factor for most predictions. I think injury is going to play a role and the depth will be put to the test at some point this season. Which position group are you least comfortable with the depth? I have to go with cornerback.

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

[**Vikings-Bears preview: 3 big questions ahead of...

Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town

Chicago, Chicago, I will show you around, I love it

Bet your bottom dollar you’ll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.

…Not So Fast, My Friend!

Ahhh, glad I figured out a way to shoehorn a quick tribute to the great Lee Corso right off the bat.

First, a quick note. Back in May, I posted my game-by-game season preview. The result? 12-5 and the NFC North crown, with a great deal of optimism for our postseason chances. Nothing has happened to change my mind. Hold that thought as some doomerism – however temporary –...