J.J. McCarthy’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lead Vikings to Dramatic Win Over Bears in NFL Debut
Chicago, IL — In a thrilling season opener Monday night, Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy staged a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback to propel the Vikings to a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
After a tentative start in his long-awaited NFL debut following a knee injury that forced him to miss his entire rookie year, McCarthy emerged in the fourth quarter with a commanding performance. He accounted for all three of Minnesota’s touchdowns in the final period — throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another — overturning a 17-6 deficit to secure the win.
The game seemed to be slipping away after Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, pushing Chicago ahead 17-6. However, McCarthy and the Vikings refused to concede defeat.
McCarthy’s first key strike was a 13-yard touchdown pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson. Although the Vikings failed to convert the ensuing two-point attempt, it sparked the offense and energized the team. Minutes later, McCarthy launched a 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones. Coupling that with a successful two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen gave the Vikings their first lead at 20-17 with just under ten minutes remaining.
McCarthy then sealed the comeback with an electrifying rushing touchdown, demonstrating poise and athleticism despite the pressure of his NFL debut. The Vikings defense held firm during the final minutes, denying the Bears a scoring opportunity and preserving the victory.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised McCarthy’s resilience, revealing he had expressed confidence in his quarterback at halftime. “I told him, ‘You are going to bring us back to win this game,'” O’Connell said. “The look in his eye was fantastic. That belief spread through the whole team and carried us through the second half.”
McCarthy was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft but sat out last season due to injury, making Monday night’s game his first meaningful professional appearance since leading Michigan to a national championship in 2023. His calm, confident play in the critical moments suggests he is a franchise cornerstone for Minnesota’s future.
On the opposing side, Chicago Bears rookie head coach Ben Johnson faced a tough start, as his team was unable to hold the late lead. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams showed promise with his first career rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown, but it was not enough to withstand the Vikings’ late surge.
The Vikings’ 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter underscore their resilience and McCarthy’s game-changing impact. As the 2025 NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on the young quarterback to see if he can build on this electrifying debut.
Final Score: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 24