Vikings Rally Behind McCarthy to Beat Bears 27-24/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ J.J. McCarthy overcame early struggles to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a thrilling 27-24 comeback win over the Chicago Bears. In his NFL debut, McCarthy threw two touchdowns and rushed for another in the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams showed promise for the Bears, but costly mistakes sealed their fate.
McCarthy’s Comeback Win Quick Looks
- J.J. McCarthy threw 2 TDs and rushed for 1 in fourth quarter
- Vikings rallied from an 11-point deficit to win 27-24
- Caleb Williams scored both passing and rushing touchdowns for Bears
- Vikings’ coach Kevin O’Connell expressed unwavering belief in McCarthy at halftime
- McCarthy finished 13-of-20 passing for 143 yards
- Vikings beat Bears for 8th time in 9 meetings
- Bears committed 12 penalties for 127 yards
- Key injuries affected both teams, especially on defense
Deep Look: J.J. McCarthy Leads Vikings to Comeback Win — Full Breakdown
CHICAGO (AP) — What began as a rocky debut for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy transformed into a memorable comeback as the Minnesota Vikings edged out the Chicago Bears, 27-24, in a dramatic season opener on Monday night.
After three quiet quarters and a deficit that loomed large, McCarthy’s resilience defined the night. The former Michigan standout, making his first NFL appearance after missing the 2024 season due to injury, came alive in the final quarter with two touchdown passes and a crucial rushing score.
His fourth-quarter surge not only secured the victory but also earned the confidence of a team eager to move forward with its new franchise quarterback.
A Halftime Promise Fulfilled
Despite McCarthy’s early struggles—including a game-altering pick-six—head coach Kevin O’Connell maintained belief in the young signal-caller. At halftime, he pulled McCarthy aside and made a bold prediction: “You are going to bring us back to win this game.”
Inspired by his coach’s faith, McCarthy responded:
“That kind of belief means the world. It gave me the confidence to execute, stay decisive, and lead.”
And lead he did.
The Turnaround
Down 17-6 after Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright returned an interception 74 yards to the house in the third quarter, the Vikings’ offense suddenly ignited.
- TD to Jefferson: McCarthy connected with Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard touchdown (conversion failed)
- TD to Jones: On the next drive, he found Aaron Jones for a 27-yard score, followed by a successful 2-point pass to Adam Thielen, giving Minnesota its first lead at 20-17.
- McCarthy’s Rushing TD: With under three minutes remaining, McCarthy kept the ball on a fake handoff and ran it in for 14 yards, pushing the lead to 27-17.
Bears’ Response Falls Short
Chicago answered late as Caleb Williams engineered a 65-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Rome Odunze. But with just over two minutes left, time ran out on a full comeback.
Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner and last year’s No. 1 overall pick, finished with 210 passing yards, one TD throw, and one rushing score. His performance, while promising, was marred by poor execution and untimely penalties by the Bears.
“It’s not play-calling,” Williams stated. “It’s about execution. We didn’t do that today.”
Penalties and Missed Opportunities
The Bears’ sloppy play proved costly, with 12 penalties accounting for 127 yards. Head coach Ben Johnson, making his own debut, acknowledged the lack of discipline and execution in critical moments.
“Too many mistakes, myself included,” Johnson said. “There’s plenty to clean up.”
Vikings Get Key Contributions
While McCarthy’s leadership was the headline, Minnesota’s offensive weapons chipped in:
- Justin Jefferson: 44 yards receiving, including a TD
- Aaron Jones: 44 yards receiving and 1 TD
- Will Reichard: Hit two field goals, including a 59-yarder that tied a Soldier Field record
McCarthy ended his debut completing 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards. Fittingly, his first game as a Viking came at Soldier Field—where he had attended a Bears-Vikings game as a child nearly two decades ago.
Injury Watch
Vikings:
- LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) will undergo an MRI
- CB Jeff Okudah is being evaluated for a concussion
- S Harrison Smith (illness) did not travel
- OT Christian Darrisaw remained inactive (recovering from torn ACL)
Bears:
- Missed key defensive players including CB Jaylon Johnson, CB Kyler Gordon, and LB T.J. Edwards due to injuries
What’s Next
- Vikings: Host the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday
- Bears: Travel to face division rival and reigning NFC North champs, the Detroit Lions
The Vikings are now hopeful that McCarthy’s clutch performance signals a new era in Minnesota—one built on poise, leadership, and late-game magic.
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