McMahon Is Sharp in Victory : NFC: Viking quarterback completes 23 of 29 passes in first game against Bears since they traded him.

The Minnesota Vikings’ new-look offense, with Jim McMahon throwing and Barry Word running and catching, managed only 10 points, but it was enough to beat the no-success offense of the Chicago Bears, 10-7.

In his first game against the Bears since they traded him four years ago, McMahon completed 23 of 29 passes--a career-high 79%--for 173 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cris Carter with 8:17 to play.

“He’s had a lot of games like this one,” said Steve McMichael, who had one of Chicago’s four sacks of McMahon. “If you give him a chance to win it with one play, usually he’ll do it.”

Word, making his debut for the Vikings (1-1) after being acquired two weeks ago from Kansas City, gained 94 yards in 24 carries and caught five passes for 58 yards.

Chicago, winless after two games for the first time since 1982--when a rookie named McMahon was playing for first-year coach Mike Ditka--gained only 140 yards.

The Bears’ Jim Harbaugh, who succeeded McMahon at quarterback, completed 11 of 20 passes for 83 yards and was intercepted by Audray McMillian to end a drive with 1:23 to play.

McMahon said defeating his old team wasn’t all that special, but beating Michael McCaskey, the Bears’ president, felt good.

“That’s the only guy I really don’t like,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the players on that team.”