JJ McCarthy Leads Late Vikings Comeback In Narrow Opener Victory

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 05:38:04 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 12:03:03

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19-year-old JJ McCarthy came through in his NFL debut, sparking the Minnesota Vikings' late comeback attempt in a narrow 19-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in their season opener.

At just 19 years old, JJ McCarthy became the youngest quarterback to start an opener for the Minnesota Vikings since Dan Marino in 1983. The NFL debutant delivered an efficient performance despite an error-prone first half, going 13 for 20 for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vikings looked out of sorts in the first half, turning the ball over twice and allowing the Bears to jump to a 10-0 advantage. But McCarthy's mobility and quick release kept the Vikings within striking distance, consistently moving the chains with short and intermediate passes.

With just over two minutes on the clock and the Vikings down 17-12, McCarthy orchestrated a pinpoint drive, completing 4 of 5 passes for 44 yards. He capped it off with a winning touchdown run himself, diving over from a yard out to put the Vikings ahead for the first time, 19-17.

"It was a crazy experience for sure," said McCarthy in a post-game interview. "I was just trying to be proactive, make good decisions, and not get too rushed. We knew we had the capability to come back, and I'm glad we were able to do that."

While the Vikings defense stifled the Bears' offense in the second half, the win came at a cost. Starters Adam Thielen and Rashod Hill were lost to injury, while All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter left with a hamstring issue.

"We've got some adversity to tackle now," said Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. "But I'm proud of how our guys fought, and we'll take the win any way we can get it."

McCarthy's debut performance certainly gives Vikings fans optimism for the future, despite the team's injuries. As he becomes more accustomed to the NFL game, McCarthy's poise and play-making ability under center could prove pivotal for the Vikings' success this season.

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