Vikings rally past the Bears as a patchy start gives way to late-game clarity from JJ McCarthy, who steadies Minnesota with measured, clutch throws and a decisive fourth-quarter drive. Jefferson remains a fantasy cornerstone, while Caleb Williams shows ceiling but nerves in his NFL debut. Minnesota’s improved interior line—Donovan Jackson and Brian O’Neill anchoring the up-front—paves the way for a run-heavy finish with Jordan Mason. Chicago’s DJ Moore remains a prime air-weapon, even as the offense scuffles early.

JJ McCarthy’s Minnesota debut showed early nerves but a late surge, hinting at a rookie’s processing speed issues yet a floor that should steady as he adjusts. Justin Jefferson remains the anchor, but the overall passing game pooled in efficiency, elevating the importance of the run game and Carolina-esque Bears’ resistance. Jordan Mason surged as the lead back in Green Bay’s backfield mix, while Aaron Jones soaked up a late score.

DJ Moore and Romeo Doubs battled for targets in a Bears-Rams thriller feel, with Doubs snagging a late TD but Moore’s volume still in question. Addison’s absence from preseason carries echoed into the matchup, while Ben Johnson and Kevin O’Connell’s schemes left fantasy managers weighing volatility against upside. Mason’s breakout pits him as a must-start in the near term, with Jefferson and Hawkinson offering safer floors when the game script tilts Minnesota’s way.

Vikings lean into a pass-heavy offense with J.J. McCarthy navigating the NFL learning curve, backed by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison for big plays on every drive. The run game isn’t the focal point, but McCarthy’s pocket poise and scrambling keep the attack versatile. Health risks loom for Darasaw and Jefferson, and Flores-like pre-snap chaos could boost defensive volatility. Bold bets: Addison could outpace Jefferson in receiving yards and a handful of other wild predictions color the season outlook.

Parsons' arrival in Green Bay injects instant chaos into the Packers' defense, pairing elite rush potential with versatility in coverage and fronts. It unlocks more disguises, cleaner run fits, and a scheme that can pressure from multiple gaps, changing how opponents protect and how the rest of the unit plays off him.

Meanwhile, the NFC North leaders—Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit—gauge JJ McCarthy's 2025 arc and Kevin O'Connell's all-in coaching stance against a three-way race. With Jefferson and Addison bringing megawatt weapons, McCarthy's ceiling (near top-12 QB) becomes the hinge, while Parson’s impact and a revamped Packers defense sharpen a divisional playoff conversation that could tilt title odds in surprising ways.