Minnesota Vikings fans are still in awe over that improbable comeback win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Even though we have had a few days to digest what happened at Soldier Field, it still feels like a bit of a fever dream.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a huge reason for the come-from-behind win. The team's struggles to move the ball offensively in the first half made it look like the game was out of reach for the purple and gold, but they never gave up.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was named NFC Player of the Week for his efforts in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy may not have had the most amazing statistics for that game, but he flipped the switch after an ugly pick-six and led the team to 21 points in the fourth quarter after only scoring six in the rest of the game.
McCarthy's efforts in that game were enough for him to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 1. The NFL shared that news in a graphic on X.
NFC Players of the Week! (Week 1)@jjmccarthy09 | @_Nate_Landman | @_kam01_ | @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/LvvgOWIJNg
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2025
Against the Bears, J.J. McCarthy threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns while adding two runs for 25 yards and another score. Although that doesn't seem like a lot, a majority of those stats came when the Minnesota Vikings needed them the most and led to a highly improbable win after trailing 6-17 after three quarters.
It is debatable as to whether this was the right choice or not. There is an argument that some other players may have had better overall statistics in Week 1. However, when and how McCarthy earned these statistics should be taken into account.
J.J. McCarthy was seen on the field and the sidelines hyping up his team when things were at their lowest. Minnesota's young quarterback has a burning drive not to lose, so it is fitting that he earned another win by picking up this award on Wednesday.
A switch seemed to flip in McCarthy after he threw an ugly pick-six that changed how he saw and played the game. At a time when it would have been easy to fold and move on to the next game, the Vikings quarterback would not accept that in his first career start.
Congratulations to J.J. McCarthy on being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1 against the Bears. Hopefully, this will be the first of many to come for him.