J.J. McCarthy Leads Vikings to Dramatic 27-24 Comeback Win Over Bears in Monday Night Football Opener
In a thrilling season opener at Soldier Field, the Minnesota Vikings staged a stunning fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Chicago Bears 27-24 on Monday Night Football. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, making his highly anticipated NFL debut, delivered a clutch performance that electrified the Vikings and fans alike.
The Bears struck early with a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick and new Chicago quarterback, setting the tone in the first quarter. Williams completed his first 10 passes and helped the Bears build a 17-6 lead by the third quarter, including a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Nahshon Wright. This pick-six appeared to widen the gap and demoralize Minnesota early in the game.
However, McCarthy, the Vikings’ 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who sat out most of last season recovering from a knee injury, responded emphatically in the fourth quarter. He orchestrated three unanswered touchdown drives. First, he connected with wide receiver Justin Jefferson on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Although the subsequent two-point conversion failed, the scoring thrust energized the Vikings.
Moments later, McCarthy threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones, and a successful two-point conversion pass to Adam Thielen gave Minnesota a 20-17 lead with over nine minutes left in the game. The comeback was capped off with a electrifying 14-yard touchdown run by McCarthy himself, faking a handoff before sprinting right and into the end zone with under three minutes remaining.
Despite a late 65-yard Chicago drive culminating in a 1-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Rome Odunze that brought the Bears within three points, the Vikings held firm to secure the win. This victory marks the eighth time in the last nine matchups that Minnesota has defeated Chicago.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised McCarthy’s remarkable composure and leadership, stating, “We don’t win this game unless J.J. plays the way he did in the second half. Most importantly, he kept the belief of this football team behind him.” O’Connell revealed that he told McCarthy at halftime, “You are going to bring us back to win this game,” a confidence reflected in the quarterback’s second-half play.
Meanwhile, Bears coach Ben Johnson, making his debut at the helm, saw his team jump out strong but ultimately fall short amid Minnesota’s relentless pressure. Williams’ dual-threat capabilities as a passer and runner showed promise, yet the Bears’ offense struggled to maintain momentum after halftime as Minnesota’s defense stiffened.
The night spotlighted two of the NFL’s youngest premier talents—Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy—both quarterbacks selected in the top 10 of the 2024 draft showcasing contrasting halves of resilience and skill. The Vikings’ rally gives Minnesota an early season boost and highlights McCarthy’s potential as a franchise leader.
The victory sets an exciting tone for the Vikings in 2025 while Chicago looks to build consistency with their new quarterback and coaching staff. With plenty of football still to be played, both teams’ campaigns promise compelling storylines moving forward.