 reacts after defeating the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27037084_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=786,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27037084_168394844_lowres.jpg”><figcaption><span>Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after defeating the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images</span></figcaption></figure><div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>
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The Minnesota Vikings headed to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears in their regular season opener.
For awhile, it looked grim for the purple team during J.J. McCarthy’s NFL debut, particularly after the young QB threw a pick-six to former Viking Nahshon Wright. However, the team regrouped and scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to steal a win from their division rivals by a score of 27-24.
Here are five takeaways from the impressive comeback victory.
1. Fourth Quarter J.J. McCarthy Was Astounding
 reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27037086_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27037086_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=525,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27037086_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Minnesota Vikings” ><figcaption>Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>There were a lot of things working against J.J. McCarthy on Monday night. He was making his NFL debut in hostile territory on one of the biggest stages he could face, opening the season on the standalone stage of Monday Night Football.</p>
<p>Things got off to about as rough of a start as they could have for McCarthy as the Vikings went three-and-out in four of their six drives during the first half and fell into a 10-6 hole going into halftime. Then, McCarthy opened the second half by throwing that pick-six to Wright, digging the Vikings even deeper, 17-6, before the Vikings punted on each of their next two drives heading into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Then, fourth quarter magic happened. McCarthy led the Vikings on three straight touchdown drives, capping things off with a gutsy 14-yard run to seal the deal. On those three drives, McCarthy completed six of his eight passes for 87 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Don’t forget the two-point conversion to Adam Thielen, either. </p>
<p>Ultimately, there will be<a href=)
a lot of ups and downs throughout McCarthy’s first season as a starting QB, but as long as those ups continue to happen when it matters most, this could be a very fun season in Minnesota.
2. Vikings Sorely Missed Christian Darrisaw
 practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Christian-Darrisaw.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=636,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Christian-Darrisaw.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Christian-Darrisaw-788×425.jpg” alt=”Christian Darrisaw practices at Vikings minicamp on June 10, 2025..” ><figcaption>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Adding onto the challenges facing McCarthy in his NFL debut was the fact that the Vikings were missing one of the best left tackles in the entire league.</p>
<p>With Justin Skule in the lineup, who was making just his 18th NFL start to begin his sixth season, it was clear that Minnesota’s offensive line was not the same, particularly early on in the game. McCarthy was constantly facing pressure from a talented Bears defensive front and was sacked three times. </p>
<p>The Vikings have similar challenges coming up in their schedule, especially in Week 3 when they face the Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals. Hopefully, Darrisaw will be back in the lineup by then.</p>
<h2>3. Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason Complement Each Other Perfectly</h2>
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Kevin O’Connell said after the game that Cashman will be evaluated with an MRI, so hopefully, everything comes back clean and he can get back on the field sooner than later to continue being a leader for Minnesota’s defense.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via ESPN and Pro Football Reference.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey