J.J. McCarthy produces epic fourth quarter in NFL debut as Vikings shock Caleb Williams and the Bears

Minnesota has Ty Chandler take a kickoff return out of the end zone to ensure Chicago doesn't benefit from a two-minute warning stoppage, forcing the Bears to aim for a last-second comeback without timeouts:

Late 4Q: Vikings 27, Bears 24

It's a strike to Rome Odunze, but Williams was basically the whole offense on this drive, coming back alive for a huge sprint toward the goal line to set up the score:

Late 4Q: Vikings 27, Bears 17

What a turnaround for the young guy under center. Talk about a hot finish for the Vikings' quarterback:

Everything is coming up Minnesota in the home stretch:

Mid 4Q: Vikings 20, Bears 17

Minnesota's fan favorite saved his first catch for a critical moment:

Well hello, the Vikings aren't dead yet!

Minnesota tries to make it a three-point game, even setting up a nice open pass from J.J. McCarthy to backup tight end Josh Oliver, but Owens is there to make a clean open-field tackle, preserving Chicago's 17-12 edge:

This one was much-needed for Minnesota. One play after a would-be touchdown dart to Jalen Nailor is deflected at the line by Montez Sweat, J.J. McCarthy stands in a collapsing pocket and fires a tight-window bullet to Justin Jefferson, pulling the Vikings within one score with more than 12 minutes still to play:

Cairo Santos can't connect on a 50-yard field goal try after Caleb Williams can't quite finish an otherwise strong drive also featuring some tough running from D'Andre Swift. So it's still a two-score game here as the fourth-quarter clock ticks down. Let's see if the Vikings can find any late-game magic with J.J. McCarthy. They're leaning quite heavily on Jordan Mason in the ground game.

The Bears quarterback is showcasing his athleticism against Brian Flores' defense:

The veteran linebacker comes up limping after chasing down Caleb Williams on a scramble. He's waiting to receive medical attention on the sidelines while teammate Ryan Kelly, the Vikings' new center, also gets a look from trainers.

Uh-oh. Nahshon Wright gets the start for the Bears with Jaylon Johnson sidelined, but that's not enough: He easily slips in front of a J.J. McCarthy pass to put Chicago up 17-6 in the second half. This one's pretty ugly for Minnesota.

Score: Bears 10, Vikings 6
First downs: Bears, 8-4
Third down: Bears 3-7, Vikings 0-5
Total yards: Bears 172, Vikings 80
Red zone: Bears 1-1, Vikings 0-1
TOP: Bears, 18:38

Williams: 13/16, 112 yards, 0 sacks, 4 carries, 32 yards, TD 
McCarthy: 5/8, 48 yards, 2 sacks, 1 carry, 11 yards 
Jordan Mason: 4 carries, 14 yards
Aaron Jones: 3 carries, 6 yards 
Jalen Nailor: 1 catch, 28 yards
Justin Jefferson: 1 catch, 4 yards 
D'Andre Swift: 9 carries, 22 yards
DJ Moore: 2 catches, 35 yards
Olamide Zaccheaus: 3 catches, 30 yards 

Halftime: Bears 10, Vikings 6 

While the Bears have the lead, the Vikings are probably the happier team heading into their respective locker room at intermission. With a first-time starting quarterback, the Vikings are just four points down on the road against a team that came out like gangbusters to start the game. 

Caleb Williams statistically outplayed his counterpart in the first half, but McCarthy held his own by not turning the ball over and hitting Jalen Nailor for a 28-yard gain that set up their second field goal just before halftime. Adding to Minnesota's momentum is the fact that they'll start the second half with the ball. 

After allowing 10 straight completions to start the game, the Vikings' defense has forced Williams into three straight incompletions. The Bears, after scoring on their first drive, are punting the ball back to the Vikings with 5:52 left in the half. 

The Vikings got on the board early in the second quarter on a 31-yard field goal. While he hasn't stretched the field whatsoever, McCarthy is 3 of 4 without any turnovers. But if Minnesota is going to win this game, it'll need more on the ground after getting 35 yards on its initial nine carries. 

End 1Q: Bears 7, Vikings 0 

While they didn't score on their second drive, the first quarter couldn't have gone much better for Williams, who went 9 of 9 for 56 yards in the opening 15 minutes. 

McCarthy completed his only pass attempt in the first quarter. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell just told ESPN that he likes McCarthy's demeanor and that the rest of the team -- him included -- needs to step up around him. He specifically said that the Vikings need to do a better job protecting him. 

McCarthy and the Vikings' offense will have the ball to start Q2. 

That was a nice statement start for Caleb Williams: I'm the first-round quarterback here. Perfect blend of his off-script athleticism and Ben Johnson's space-opening designs. Couldn't have been much better for Chicago.

Mid 1Q: Bears 7, Vikings 0

Caleb Williams' first drive of the 2025 season ends with his first career touchdown run. Williams bought time on the play before he sped to the end zone for a nine-yard score. 

Williams was a perfect 6 of 6 on the drive for 51 yards. He completed passes to five teammates that included an impressive, 17-yard grab by Rome Odunze on the near sideline. 

J.J. McCarthy's first NFL drive was a three and out that included a sack by Gervon Dexter Sr. on second down. McCarthy did complete his first NFL pass, a short, five-yarder to Josh Oliver. 

This isn't necessarily a surprise coming from the Bears' aging stadium, but ...

Here's a complete look at the Vikings' inactives for their prime-time opener:

• QB Max Brosmer
• RB Zavier Scott
• OT Christian Darrisaw
• OG Joe Huber
• DL Elijah Williams
• S Harrison Smith

The biggest absentee is easily Smith, the six-time Pro Bowler who's been sidelined with an undisclosed personal illness. Theo Jackson will be tasked with stepping up on the back end of Brian Flores' defense alongside captain Josh Metellus. Also glaringly absent is Darrisaw, the former first-rounder at left tackle. J.J. McCarthy's blind side will likely be protected by Justin Skule.

Big news on the injury front, as the Bears will be without both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon in the secondary against Minnesota. Here's a full list of Chicago's inactives for "Monday Night Football":

• QB Case Keenum
• RB Roschon Johnson
• OL Kiran Amegadjie
• DL Shemar Turner
• LB T.J. Edwards
• CB Jaylon Johnson
• CB Kyler Gordon

Former Dallas Cowboys prospect Nahshon Wright is a name to watch at corner for the Bears in place of the absentees.

Check out our deep dive on Minnesota's new signal-caller, complete with exclusive comments from McCarthy himself:

J.J. McCarthy ready to lead the charge for 'stacked' Vikings in 2025: 'Between the lines, I flip a switch'

Cody Benjamin