Silence is the noise that was heard from the doubters of J.J. McCarthy after the second-year quarterback led the Minnesota Vikings to an epic comeback win on Monday in his first-ever NFL start.
McCarthy's night got off to a terrible start with an interception in the third quarter that was returned 74 yards the other way for a Bears touchdown.
Then came the fourth quarter, when the Minnesota quarterback threw a pair of touchdown passes and added another with his legs to give the Vikings a 27-24 win.
J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings surge in the final quarter to defeat the Chicago Bears in Week 1
No one could have written a worse opening three quarters to Minnesota's first game of the 2025 season. The Vikings' offense couldn't move the ball, and a pair of Will Reichard field goals (including one from 59 yards away) were the only reason why they had any points on the scoreboard.
But then came the fourth quarter, and for whatever reason, Minnesota came alive like it received a jolt from Dr. Frankenstein.
First was a six-play, 60-yard drive that ended with McCarthy connecting on a 13-yard pass with Justin Jefferson in the end zone. That score put the Vikings within five points of Chicago.
After Minnesota's defense came up with a stop, their young quarterback proceeded to lead the offense on a three-play, 50-yard drive that was capped off with him finding running back Aaron Jones for a 27-yard touchdown connection.
That score gave the Vikings a one-point lead, but then McCarthy connected on a pass with Adam Thielen on a two-point conversion to give Minnesota a three-point lead.
That lead would've been good enough for most teams, but McCarthy and the Vikings weren't done. After another stop by the defense, Minnesota's offense put together a nine-play, 68-yard drive that ended with McCarthy running it in himself for a 14-yard touchdown.
One game in, the McCarthy era for the Vikings is a whole lot of fun.