Overview

• The Vikings beat the Bears 27-24 at Soldier Field as McCarthy threw a 13-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson, a 27-yard score to Aaron Jones, and added a 14-yard rushing TD late.
• McCarthy finished 13-of-20 for 143 yards with 25 rushing yards after overcoming a third-quarter pick-six by Nahshon Wright.
• Minnesota’s run game keyed the rally with 82 fourth-quarter rushing yards, including bursts from Jordan Mason and early-down gains from Aaron Jones that set up play-action, which coach Kevin O’Connell praised as the turning point.
• The rookie became the first quarterback to account for three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his NFL debut and the first starter since Steve Young in 1985 to win his first game after trailing by 10-plus in the fourth.
• Teammates cited McCarthy’s poise, with Aaron Jones recalling him asking in the huddle, “is there any place else you guys would rather be?”, as media reactions ranged from Scott Van Pelt urging critics to delete their tweets to Tom Brady advising patience on expectations.