After leading the Vikings to a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears in his NFL debut, quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

In total, McCarthy completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while adding a pair of carries for 25 yards and a touchdown. Though the stat line might seem unremarkable on the surface, it actually put him in rarefied air when zooming out and looking at the big picture.

Not only did he become the first player since longtime Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in 2011 to have at least two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in his NFL debut, McCarthy also became the first player since legendary San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young in 1985 to win his NFL debut after trailing by double digits in the final frame.

Most of the production from McCarthy came in the final frame with the Vikings trailing the Bears 17-6 and seemingly on their way to a loss.

That’s when McCarthy  finally found his stride, throwing a touchdown pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson, following it up with a touchdown pass to veteran running back Aaron Jones, then taking it himself on a read option for a touchdown run that proved to be the difference.

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