DETROIT — Say this a lot about Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy: He has a aptitude for the dramatic.
In his first sport since struggling a excessive proper ankle sprain seven weeks in the past, McCarthy produced an uneven however finally successful efficiency, accounting for 3 touchdowns in a 27-24 upset of the Detroit Lions.
He paid homage to the state the place he performed three seasons of school soccer at Michigan by sporting a short-sleeved blue costume shirt with “J.J.” monogrammed on the left breast — a throwback to the Wolverines’ “blue-collar” mindset, McCarthy stated, and a reminder of how a lot work he has left to do.
However he was at his greatest on a 16-yard move to receiver Jalen Nailor on third all the way down to seal the victory.
“We noticed lots of issues that he is able to doing,” coach Kevin O’Connell stated. “And we noticed some issues that as he continues his ascension and his progress, he’ll solely get higher and higher at.”
It was McCarthy’s third profession NFL sport, after the ankle and a torn meniscus in his proper knee final season have value him 23 of his first 25 alternatives to play.
Nonetheless excited in regards to the throw to Nailor after the sport, McCarthy charged into the Vikings’ locker room to a powerful roar from his teammates, in accordance with video of the second launched by the crew. Requested about it afterwards, McCarthy grew emotional and addressed the anguish he has confronted over the previous two seasons.
“It was superior,” McCarthy stated. “Simply once you’re damage, being on IR final 12 months and being out for 5 [games in 2025], it completely kills me not being on the market with these guys as a result of I really like each single one in every of them, and I do know they acquired my again and I acquired theirs the remainder of the way in which.”
The Lions entered the sport as 9.5-point favorites because the Vikings appeared headed towards a season devoted towards growing McCarthy — and maybe not a lot else. It was, the truth is, the largest underdog level unfold that the Vikings had been in a sport since O’Connell was employed in 2022.
O’Connell requested all eight crew captains, together with McCarthy, to talk to the crew Saturday evening in regards to the problem forward. McCarthy stated his message was easy. He has been sleeping within the mattress he as soon as utilized in faculty, and away from his new child son Rome, and had been “catching this glare from this silver platter with the juicy alternative proper on high of it.”
“We noticed lots of issues that he is able to doing. And we noticed some issues that as he continues his ascension and his progress, he’ll solely get higher and higher at.”
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell on QB J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings have the NFL’s most troublesome remaining schedule, in accordance with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, and McCarthy noticed a chance to defy the chances. He did his half Sunday, throwing landing passes of 10 yards to Justin Jefferson and seven yards to T.J. Hockenson to cap the Vikings’ first two possessions.
McCarthy acquired slowed down throughout the sport as he was sacked 5 occasions by the Lions and hit on three different events, and he related on one of many seven passes he tried whereas on the run. His success by way of the air was noticeably higher when he remained within the pocket, finishing 13 of 18 passes for 136 yards when he did so, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
“There’s lots of alternatives the place I used to be on the run that I simply have to get these reps again once more and never be so amped and miss a few of these guys excessive,” McCarthy stated, “So there’s lots that I would like to scrub up, however I am completely satisfied the blokes had my again right now and intensely grateful.”
Working again Aaron Jones additionally contributed 78 yards on 9 carries, 31 of which got here on a lateral move from McCarthy that was formally recorded as a run. Jones departed within the third quarter due to a proper shoulder harm and can get additional assessments Monday.
McCarthy has now received two of his three begins, each of which have been on the street in opposition to NFC North opponents, and each by the identical 27-24 rating. In Week 1, he threw two landing passes within the fourth quarter and ran for a 3rd in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject.
He stated afterwards that he would not imagine in a “clutch” trait and that he acquired loads of assist Sunday, but it surely was arduous to disregard McCarthy stepping up within the fourth quarter as soon as once more — this time in entrance of 1000’s of followers who as soon as rooted for him at Michigan.
“I am completely satisfied that we acquired the win, however I am not proud to be sincere with you,” McCarthy stated. “There’s lots of meat on the bone and I really feel like I might have performed lots higher. However coming into this atmosphere and controlling my feelings, controlling my temperament going into it, I used to be happy with that.”