EAGAN, Minn. — One start, one dramatic comeback, one conference award for J.J. McCarthy.
The second-year Vikings QB made his NFL debut for Minnesota on Monday. He withstood the emotions of playing at his hometown Chicago Bears, as well as throwing a pick six, to lead three consecutive touchdown drives in a 27-24 victory.
In the final quarter at Soldier Field, McCarthy went 6-for-8 passing for 87 yards that included touchdowns of 13 yards to Justin Jefferson and 27 to Aaron Jones, Sr., compiling a passer rating of 149.5. McCarthy also showed his speed and a strategic run style, setting up a block by T.J. Hockenson during a 14-yard rushing touchdown.
He became the first QB to guide a comeback from 10-plus points in the fourth quarter in his NFL debut since Steve Young in 1985 and the first to do so in a road game since at least 1950.
McCarthy became the 11th Viking since 1984 to win NFC Player of the Week honors during Week 1 and the third Vikings signal caller (Daunte Culpepper in 2004 and Sam Bradford in 2017) to do so.
Vikings players have garnered 15 designations as an NFC Player of the Week (offense, defense or special teams) in 52 regular-season games under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell.
NFC Players of the Week under O’Connell
2025 Week 1 at Chicago: J.J. McCarthy (Offensive)
2024 Week 16 at Seattle: Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB (Defensive)
2024 Week 14 vs. Atlanta: Sam Darnold, QB (Offensive)
2024 Week 3 vs. Houston: Jonathan Greenard, OLB (Defensive)
2023 Week 14 at Las Vegas: Ivan Pace, Jr., LB (Defensive)
2023 Week 9 at Atlanta: Joshua Dobbs, QB (Offensive)
2023 Week 7 vs. San Francisco: Camryn Bynum, S (Defensive)
2023 Week 6 at Chicago: Jordan Hicks, LB (Defensive)
2022 Week 16 vs. New York Giants: Greg Joseph, K (Special Teams)
2022 Week 15 vs. Indianapolis: Kirk Cousins, QB (Offensive)
2022 Week 12 vs. New England: Kene Nwangwu, RB/KR (Special Teams)
2022 Week 10 at Buffalo: Justin Jefferson, WR (Offensive)
2022 Week 8 vs. Arizona: Za’Darius Smith, OLB (Defensive)
2022 Week 6 at Miami: Ryan Wright, P (Special Teams)
2022 Week 4 vs. New Orleans in London: Greg Joseph, K (Special Teams)
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