"Is there anywhere else you'd rather be?" Vikings defeat Bears on Monday Night, Home opener vs the Falcons! #SKOL

What an incredible start to a young man's NFL career! JJ McCarthy started his first career game at the age of 22, only 20 miles way from where he grew up, and led his Vikings to an 11-point, 4th quarter comeback to defeat the Bears 27-24. The first 3 quarters did not look great for the Vikings. It even had people asking if the Vikings made the right decision at QB. But then the 4th quarter happened...a 4th quarter that will live on as the first chapter of the legendary JJ McCarthy, years from now.

Early in the 4th quarter, with the Vikings down 17-6 and nothing seeming to work... 22-year old JJ McCarthy entered the huddle with a smile on his face and asked his teammates "Is there anywhere else you'd rather be?" The amount of adrenaline that must have been flowing through every Vikings player at that moment had to have been insane. That's a straight up Joe Montana thing to do! Michael Jordan once said something on the lines of "That's a sign of a good man if he can talk when it's even score, or talk when you are losing. When you are winning, it's easy to talk." The best players in the world don't shy away from uphill battles...they thrive. I mentioned it in my preseason post that JJ is hardly ever going to put up insane personal stats as the Quarterback. What he does instead is lead his team in whatever way he needs to in order to win the game. The dude has the "IT" factor that is impossible to quantify with statistics. He comes through when the stage is the brightest. He did it in highschool, college, and now already showing that ability in the NFL. He instills belief in every member of the organization and he showed that in his first ever start. Just incredible!

Just to be clear, JJ McCarthy and the Vikings are not going to win every game for the next 15 years now. There are going to be ups and downs on the journey, but I believe this is the start of something special for Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings, led by McCarthy, Jets, and KOC, will be hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football! The main headline for this one will be "National Championship rematch between McCarthy and Penix Jr!" Michigan defeated Washington for the National Title a few years back. Obviously the teams are completely different, but it's always fun to see rivalries play out in real time, especially when they begin BEFORE the professional level. I personally thought, and still think, that Michael Penix Jr. is the best pure QB from that draft class. The class included Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Penix, McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Spencer Rattler. Turning out to be a star-studded QB class! This should be an awesome Sunday Night Football game. Two future superstar QBs, both with lots of talented players on offense around them, going head to head once again!

• The running game will feature superstar Bijan Robinson vs the dynamic duo of Aaron Jones Sr and Jordan Mason. I expect both teams to have success through their running backs, whether it's on the ground or through the air.

• JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr are going to be slinging the ball tonight. They both have plenty of talent at WR & TE, with Minnesota having the edge with Justin Jefferson.

• The Minnesota Vikings have the much better defense and the home field, primetime game advantage in this one.

• I would love for this game to be a back and forth battle, so I will predict the Vikings to win 27-21 over the Falcons. This isn't going to be an easy game. The Falcons have plenty of playmakers and are very well-coached. Plus anything can happen in primetime games, under the lights!

• Always bet the Baby Bump! Congrats to JJ McCarthy and his Fiancee Katya on the birth of their first child a couple days ago. Pretty much guaranteed the Vikings are going to win now!

Come on, Vikings! Let's beat the Falcons and start the season 2-0! Keep it rolling! BAROOOOOO!

#SKOL