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Kevin Seifert
ARLINGTON, Texas — In the midst of his best game in the NFL, JJ McCarthy Started feeling it. So, when minnesota vikings‘The quarterback broke free on a goal-line bootleg run in the second quarter, with nothing in front of him but the end zone, he slowed down.
Holding the ball down while crossing the goal line, McCarthy appeared to perform a modified “Griddy” dance, which was popularized by teammates. Justin Jefferson,
The touchdown was one of several key plays for the Vikings win 34-26 Above dallas cowboysBut it was perhaps the most revealing moment of the push-and-pull involved in developing a young quarterback. Vikings coach Praising McCarthy’s performance after throwing for a career-high 250 yards Kevin O’Connell Made it clear that he did not like the celebration.
And McCarthy, who faced heavy criticism during his first season as a starter, said he was warned before the game to avoid celebrations.
“I did it in practice and I was told not to do it,” McCarthy said. “So, just being who I am, it’s like, ‘Oh, now I’m more attracted to doing it.’ But if it’s that wide open, obviously get to the end zone no matter what, and stay trained and do what my coach says. So yes, I will definitely get a minus [grade] For him.”
Asked if he didn’t mind getting a “minus”, McCarthy said: “Yes and no.”
McCarthy’s first pass of the game eluded the Cowboys safety and was dropped at the line Donovan Wilson and then stopped by a defensive tackle quinnan williams at the Vikings’ 35-yard line, setting up the Cowboys’ first scoring drive. But McCarthy then completed eight of his next 10 passes, including a 20-yard touchdown strike to receiver jalen nailer In the subsequent quarter.
The pass to Naylor was one of McCarthy’s five completions that covered at least 15 yards in the air, a career high for a game. The Vikings’ offense is based on moving the ball with small plays in the passing game, and this was the first time that McCarthy looked capable of generating them. Those throws included a completion of 58 yards to receiver jordan addison29 and 18 yards to the tight end TJ Hockenson And 23 yards from Naylor.
O’Connell called the 29-yard throw to Hockenson “brilliant” and praised McCarthy for making completions wherever they were available.
“We’re getting a little more experience, a little more time on the job, developing a little more understanding of what it is to play the quarterback position at the NFL level,” O’Connell said. “… I think hopefully he learned a lesson tonight, if we can be explosive and get some chances as the game goes on.”
McCarthy was greatly helped by his pass protection, which held the Cowboys without a sack amid a 30.8% pressure rate, their third-fewest pressures in a game this season. O’Connell also contributed several well-timed playcalls, notably a bootleg that turned fourth-and-goal into the Vikings’ second touchdown.
Asked about the play, O’Connell called it an “amazing moment” and said the running back had McCarthy’s fake hand. Jordan Mason It was so convincing that “even I had to do a double take right there” to make sure McCarthy still had the ball. But without prompting, O’Connell said: “The finish, I wouldn’t classify as special.”
“It was entertaining,” O’Connell said. “I guess we’re in the entertainment business, but I would love for him to show the 40 times he loves to talk about how he never walked, his 40 is coming up [of college]Which was unique to say the least. But as a guy who once ran a fast 40 and couldn’t throw it very well, I can probably understand why quarterbacks like to do that these days.”
