In his first NFL start, QB J.J. McCarthy overcame a frigid start to lead the Vikings to a spirited come-from-behind victory in the fourth quarter as the Vikings defeated the Bears 27-24 on Monday Night Football
2025 Fantasy Impact
Early in the third quarter, McCarthy was 5-of-9 passing for 48 scoreless yards and threw a pick-6, but things came together in the 4th quarter, where he completed 6-of-8 for 101 total yards and 3 TDs in the comeback.
His first TD went to WR Justin Jefferson from 13 yards out. TD No. 2 was a 27-yard strike to RB Aaron Jones. His final score came on a 14-yard rush with 2:53 left in the game to put the Vikings up 27-17.
McCarthy only threw for 143 yards, but added 25 and that TD on the ground.
Ultimately, his first game was a mixed bag, but McCarthy showed enough to remain a weekly high-upside QB2.