Overview

• After a 74-yard pick-six by Nahshon Wright put Chicago up 17-6, McCarthy led three straight touchdown drives, including a 14-yard keeper for the winner.
• The rookie finished 13-of-20 for 143 yards with two touchdown passes—to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones—and one interception.
• Per NFL Research, he is the first player since Cam Newton in 2011 to log multiple passing TDs plus a rushing TD in an NFL debut.
• Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he told McCarthy at halftime he would bring them back, and teammates cited the QB’s poised huddle message as a turning point.
• Caleb Williams opened with a flawless TD drive but the Bears’ offense sputtered after halftime, committing 12 penalties as first-time head coach Ben Johnson lamented late-game mistakes.