J.J. McCarthy Makes History as Vikings Stun Bears with Fourth-Quarter Rally in Season Opener
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
The 2025 NFL season’s Week 1 finale featured an exciting matchup between two sophomore quarterbacks at Soldier Field, with J.J. McCarthy leading the Minnesota Vikings to a dramatic 27-24 victory over Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. This marked McCarthy’s first NFL regular-season start, having missed his rookie year due to a knee injury suffered in preseason. Both quarterbacks were top 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Williams selected first overall from USC and McCarthy chosen tenth by the Vikings.
Early Bears Dominance
McCarthy struggled in the first half, with the Bears defense forcing four three-and-outs. The Vikings’ early offense was limited to two field goals, including a 59-yard kick by Will Reichard before halftime. McCarthy completed just 5 of 8 passes for 48 yards and was sacked twice, with the Vikings managing only 80 yards of total offense in the first half.
Dramatic Fourth-Quarter Comeback
The game took a dramatic turn as McCarthy orchestrated an incredible comeback, leading the Vikings to victory after trailing 17-6 after three quarters. The turning point came after Wright’s 74-yard pick-six that initially extended the Bears’ lead. Rather than deflating the Vikings, this seemed to energize McCarthy, who proceeded to throw touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones before scoring himself on a scramble.
Historic Performance
McCarthy finished with 143 yards and two touchdowns, completing 13 of 20 passes with one interception. His performance was historic, as he became the first quarterback in NFL history to score three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his NFL debut. Additionally, he joined elite company by becoming the first quarterback since Hall of Famer Steve Young to overcome a deficit of at least 10 points in the fourth quarter of his debut.
Looking Ahead
This victory could have significant implications for the NFC North, which appears wide open in 2025 after sending three teams to the playoffs last season. The dramatic finish to this Week 1 matchup sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting season ahead for both teams.
