The Chicago Bears' 2025 season opener under new head coach Ben Johnson was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending in a familiar heartbreak for fans. Despite entering the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead, the Bears succumbed to a 27-24 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. This game not only highlighted recurring issues but also raised questions about game management and execution.

Key Moments of the Collapse

1. Incomplete Fourth-Down Pass to DJ Moore: With a chance to extend their lead, quarterback Caleb Williams missed an open DJ Moore on a crucial fourth-and-3 play. This decision to go for it instead of attempting a 41-yard field goal was supported by ESPN Analytics but ultimately backfired.

2. Failed Challenge: Johnson's decision to challenge a play in the third quarter cost the Bears a valuable timeout. The challenge was unsuccessful, leaving the team without a crucial timeout in the final minutes.

3. Penalties and Grounding: A series of penalties, including a questionable holding call and an intentional grounding penalty, stalled a promising drive. These mistakes turned a potential scoring opportunity into a difficult field goal attempt.

4. Kickoff Strategy: In the final minutes, the Bears failed to execute a planned kickoff out of the end zone, allowing the Vikings to run valuable seconds off the clock. This error in game management left the Bears with insufficient time to mount a comeback.

Looking Ahead

The Bears now face the Detroit Lions in a must-win game to avoid an 0-2 start against division rivals. Historical data shows that starting 0-2 with both losses in divisional games is a tough hole to climb out of, with no team since 2002 making the playoffs from such a position.

Conclusion

The Bears' collapse against the Vikings was a combination of missed opportunities, questionable decisions, and critical errors. As they prepare for their next game, the focus will be on improving execution and making smarter in-game decisions to turn their season around.