J.J. McCarthy’s Thrilling Fourth-Quarter Comeback Leads Vikings to Victory in NFL Debut
In a tale of resilience and redemption, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy transformed a shaky NFL starting debut into an unforgettable comeback victory on Monday night. After struggling through three quarters, McCarthy orchestrated a stunning fourth-quarter rally, leading the Vikings to a 27-24 road win over the Chicago Bears to kick off the 2025 NFL season. The victory was particularly meaningful for McCarthy, who spent last season sidelined with a meniscus injury, watching as Sam Darnold guided the team to an impressive 14-3 record. This year, the reins were finally handed to McCarthy in Kevin O’Connell’s dynamic offense, though his path to success would prove challenging from the outset.
The early portions of the game were frustrating for McCarthy and the Vikings offense. Chicago’s defense, under new coordinator Dennis Allen, effectively pressured the young quarterback, limiting Minnesota to just two Will Reichard field goals in the first half. Meanwhile, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams started hot under new head coach Ben Johnson, running in a touchdown on Chicago’s opening drive. The situation grew even more dire for McCarthy in the third quarter when he threw a pick-six, extending Chicago’s lead and seemingly highlighting his struggles. As the fourth quarter began, the Vikings found themselves trailing 17-6, and McCarthy’s debut appeared headed toward disappointment.
What followed was a remarkable transformation that showcased McCarthy’s composure and talent when it mattered most. The comeback began with a crisp six-play drive culminating in McCarthy firing a precise pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson for a touchdown. After Minnesota’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, McCarthy capitalized on a defensive pass interference call by launching a perfectly placed deep ball to running back Aaron Jones Sr., giving the Vikings a 20-17 lead following a successful two-point conversion. The defining moment came on McCarthy’s next drive when, facing third-and-1 from the Chicago 14-yard line, he kept the ball on a read option play and powered his way into the end zone. His touchdown run extended Minnesota’s lead to 27-17 with just under three minutes remaining, prompting an emotional celebration with teammates surrounding their rookie quarterback.
Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense, which had shown such promise early in the game, struggled to maintain momentum after their opening touchdown drive. Despite high expectations for Chicago’s offense under Johnson, who had previous success with the Detroit Lions, the Bears managed only a field goal in the second quarter, while kicker Cairo Santos missed another attempt in the fourth. Williams eventually found rookie receiver Rome Odunze for a one-yard touchdown with two minutes left, cutting the deficit to three points. However, even after forcing a Vikings three-and-out, the Bears ran out of time before they could mount a final comeback attempt, securing McCarthy’s first NFL victory.
The final statistics revealed the evolving nature of both teams’ offenses. McCarthy finished his debut completing 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also contributing the critical rushing touchdown. The Vikings’ ground game featured Jordan Mason as the primary ball carrier with 15 carries for 68 yards, while veteran Aaron Jones Sr. added eight carries for 23 yards and tied with Jefferson for a team-leading 44 receiving yards. This balanced attack ultimately proved effective enough to overcome early struggles and secure the victory.
For the Bears, Williams demonstrated why he was the first overall pick in this year’s draft, completing 21 of 35 passes for 211 yards with one touchdown pass while also leading Chicago’s rushing attack with 58 yards on just six carries. Running back D’Andre Swift contributed 53 yards on 17 touches, and veteran receiver D.J. Moore made the most of limited opportunities with 70 yards on just three receptions. Despite these solid individual performances, the Bears’ inability to maintain offensive consistency after their strong start proved costly in what became J.J. McCarthy’s coming-of-age moment. As both young quarterbacks showed flashes of their potential, this early-season matchup may have offered a glimpse into what could become an exciting rivalry in the NFC North for years to come.
