Vikings Rally Past Packers as Watt Fills CBS Top Booth
Minnesota beat Green Bay 39-22 on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13, rallying for a season-opening win after losing its new quarterback early. The comeback gave the Vikings a 1-0 start in the NFC North rivalry. Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt called the game as CBS's No. 1 analyst alongside play-by-play partner Jim Nantz, according to The Guardian.
Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray did not finish his first game in purple. He was ruled out with a concussion — a brain injury that ends a player's day — after a collision on just the 11th snap. Before the exit, Green Bay cornerback Keisean Nixon jumped a throw into double coverage, two defenders on one receiver, for an interception.
It was a rough introduction to a familiar foe. Murray entered Sunday 0-2 in his career against Green Bay, with losses at home in 2021 and at Green Bay in 2024, per a pregame preview from ESPN. In those two games he had totaled 488 passing yards on 44-for-65 passing. Minnesota found a way anyway. The Vikings piled up points after his departure to turn an early deficit into a 17-point win.
Watt's presence in the booth told its own story. CBS placed Tony Romo on leave after his arrest in July and moved Watt up from the No. 2 broadcasting team. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson rounded out the lead crew with Nantz and Watt. Watt has since spoken out about the promotion and the chance to call top games.
Romo, 46 at the time of the July coverage, was arrested July 23 on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. He later pleaded no contest to the civil offense of operating while intoxicated. CBS said the leave is "until further notice," a status confirmed in late-July reporting from Yahoo Sports.
What happens next in the booth is unclear. CBS Sports president David Berson said there is no timeline for a decision about Romo's future. Romo has four years remaining on a CBS contract paying $18 million annually. A CBS Sports spokesperson declined to comment Sunday, referring back to the company's previous statement.
On the field, Green Bay's defense has a new architect. Jonathan Gannon is the Packers' defensive coordinator, the coach in charge of fronts and coverages, after being dismissed as Arizona's head coach at the end of last season. Sunday was his first real test in green and gold. Minnesota cracked it late with big plays after Murray went out.
For fans, this means two storylines to track. Minnesota has to sort out quarterback health after a win that showed real depth and resilience. And every big CBS game now doubles as an extended look at Watt in the top chair.
