J.J. McCarthy Reflects on Vikings’ Dramatic Comeback Victory Over Bears
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a rough start in his first NFL game against the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.” For the first three quarters, he struggled to find rhythm, but when the game was on the line, he turned things around dramatically.
In the final quarter, McCarthy led the Vikings on a three-touchdown scoring spree, overcoming an 11-point deficit to secure a 10-point lead and ultimately a 3-point victory at Soldier Field on September 8. Star receiver Justin Jefferson had a quiet game through the first three quarters but caught two passes early in the fourth, including a 13-yard touchdown. McCarthy followed up with a touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones and then converted a two-point try to give Minnesota a 20-17 lead.
The young QB capped off the comeback with a 14-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Vikings’ lead to 10 points. Despite the Bears scoring again and getting one last chance with 9 seconds left, McCarthy’s play sealed the win.
Post-game, McCarthy shared his thoughts with sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
“It feels surreal to get my first NFL win,” he said. “Winning is what I’ll remember most. Being back home, it’s a dream come true. To all the kids out there, it’s possible. I love my teammates and can’t wait to get back to work next week.”
McCarthy and Vikings Found Their Groove as the Game Went On
Salters asked McCarthy what sparked the shift after he threw an interception early in the third quarter, which Bears cornerback Nashon Wright returned 74 yards for a touchdown, putting Chicago up by 11 points.
“Honestly, we just figured it out,” McCarthy explained. “We took it one play at a time, and Coach O’Connell made some great calls. We just executed.”
When asked about the struggles in the first three quarters and how he managed to turn it around in the fourth, McCarthy acknowledged the team’s slow start. “It’s just about all 11 guys being on the same page. It’s the first game, and we have plenty to clean up. But I’m really proud of how we responded because we’re going to have more tough games ahead.”
Salters noted McCarthy’s positive attitude and leadership on the sideline during the tough moments and asked what he told his teammates.
“I told them to believe. That’s all we could do,” McCarthy said. “It’s that simple.”
McCarthy’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lift His Overall Performance
Despite his rough start, McCarthy ended the game with solid numbers: 13 completions on 20 attempts for 143 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, giving him a QB rating of 98.3. He also rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
The Vikings (1-0) will next face the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at home on Sunday, September 14.
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