The first Monday Night Football game of the 2025 NFL season was one of the books. What started to look like a one-sided affair in favor of the Chicago Bears ended in a huge victory for Aaron Jones and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The Vikings trailed for most of the game and even entered the fourth quarter trailing Caleb Williams and the Bears by 11 points. But Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy made things happen — a lot of things — and led Minnesota to a memorable come-from-behind win.
Justin Jefferson caught a touchdown from McCarthy with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter to trim Chicago’s lead. Then, with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Jones secured a pass from McCarthy for a 27-yard touchdown grab that put Minnesota in front for the first time — and for good.
McCarthy added another touchdown for insurance later on, as the former Michigan Wolverines star quarterback rushed for a score with three minutes to go.
Aaron Jones made his mark in Minnesota’s win against the Bears
Packers fans know very well how capable Jones is even in the passing attack, and that showed in Monday’s contest.
He only rushed for 23 yards on eight carries, but Jones led the Vikings with 44 receiving yards and a touchdown on three receptions and three targets. With that touchdown, Jones is currently just a long touchdown away from tying a particular mark by Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley.
Via Next Gen Stats:
J.J. McCarthy’s 27-yard TD pass to Aaron Jones was Jones’ 8th deep reception of his career, the most deep receptions by a running back since 2017.
Only Saquon Barkley (5) has more deep touchdowns than Jones (4) among RBs in that span.
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