The Minnesota Vikings brought J. J. McCarthy back under center for a challenging road matchup against the Detroit Lions, adding pressure for the young quarterback to prove he belongs as the team’s starter.
McCarthy completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards, threw two touchdowns, and had one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown, helping the Vikings secure a 27-24 victory over their NFC North rival.
### CBS Sports Analyst Praises McCarthy’s Performance
Following the win, CBS Sports NFL analyst Danny Kanell shared a blunt analysis of McCarthy’s performance on “CBS Sports HQ.”
“I thought he was really impressive, going on the road against one of the better defenses and one of the better teams in the entire National Football League,” Kanell said. “I thought he played with a ton of confidence. The throw he made to Justin Jefferson was a great ball.”
Kanell continued, “Now, you’re throwing Justin on the outside. He made a great catch there, but he’s throwing the ball with a ton of confidence. He is not afraid to take many of those chances because he does have some really good weapons out there. He knows what he can do mobility-wise because he can escape and run. And it was his first time back in the lineup for a while.”
### Confidence Boost for McCarthy
Kanell further elaborated on McCarthy’s development, emphasizing the importance of this game for the young quarterback’s confidence.
“So I thought this was huge for his confidence,” Kanell added. “I don’t think he lacks any, but I still see a young player who’s a little more volatile out there. You get some good throws, you get some bad throws. He’s got to get more consistent, but I think he is playing with a ton of confidence right now for a young player.”
### Praise from Vikings Teammate T. J. Hockenson
After the victory, Vikings tight end T. J. Hockenson spoke with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, offering high praise for McCarthy’s leadership and poise.
“What a baller,” Hockenson said. “He’s a vet through and through. You wouldn’t think it by his age, but the way he carries himself, the way he performs on Sundays, and the way he operates our offense, it shows you that.”
### McCarthy Credits Team Support
McCarthy, reflecting on his own performance, expressed excitement but also acknowledged there’s room for improvement.
“Obviously a lot of excitement… and I’m just so proud of the guys,” McCarthy said. “We fought, we had a different energy this week, a different level of focus. But there’s a lot more we can clean up. We haven’t reached our potential. We haven’t even gotten close yet.”
With his return, J. J. McCarthy demonstrated why the Vikings have faith in him as their starting quarterback, showing both confidence and the ability to lead under pressure. As he continues to develop, Minnesota fans will be watching closely to see how he harnesses his potential moving forward.
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