And with all the pressure in the world on him, on 3rd & 5, a situation caused by the stupid red zone play calling by his HC that preserved all 3 TO for the Lions
I'm glad someone else caught this. First, they tried a pass to JJ that stopped the clocked, then McCarthy went OB to stop the clock. I was thinking they should have run the ball three straight to burn the Lions' TO but instead OC gave them exactly what they needed. Really dumb.
You're right on McCarthy. He's going ro make some plays that will frustrate you, but he has the heart of a Lion. I hope he can continue to develop because he's a fighter and a guy you would want in the fox hole with you.
The big star yesterday was the D. As bad as Flores looked last week, he had a nice game plan against Goff and the D was flying.
Did JJ play a flawless game yesterday? No. Far from it.
The pass to Nailor early that got intercepted (which I'm still not sure how the end result was an interception when it looked like Nailor and Arnold both had hands on it and I was always told dual possession goes back to the offense PLUS the ball clearly hit the ground) was not a great pass - if he leads him on that he probably gets at least 15 more yards if not a TD.
The incomplete pass to Jefferson that was called complete on the field and challenged by Campbell should not have been overturned based on any of the replays I saw (what every happened to indisputable video evidence to overturn calls on the field?)
But he also threw a great back shoulder pass to clinch it. The TD pass to JJ was perfectly thrown. The pass to Addison that Addison dropped was perfectly thrown. The TJ Hockenson TD was a great read - Hockenson saw the safety in zone drifting with McCarthy as he rolled right and sat down in the pocket, McCarthy saw it and hit Hockenson with a bullet before the Lions could make an adjustment. The TD run was a great play by JJ too.
What we saw, IMO, is a kid going into a hostile environment against a division rival - one of the 2-3 best teams in the NFC IMO, and not blinking. He was 7/11 for 91 yards and a TD against the blitz yesterday. Detroit registered the second highest pressure rate of any game in the NFL this season (18 pressures and 5 sacks) and JJ stood in there and took his shots and lead the team to a win.
In only his 3rd start, when the game was on the line, the coaches put the ball in his hands and said "We trust you to make the play" when an incomplete pass would have given Detroit the ball back with a timeout needing only a FG to tie. He comes up with a perfectly thrown back shoulder throw to Nailor to ice it. The same type of dagger we saw him do time and again when Michigan needed a big play when he was in college. That, to me, is why KOC and Kwesi bet their jobs on him. The kid has ice in his veins. What we saw yesterday is part of the reason they believe in him.
Does he still have some things to clean up? Yes. Is he going to make mistakes that make you scratch your head for the rest of the season? Almost certainly yes. But does he have the stones to step up when the team needs a big play in a big spot in a hostile environment? It sure seems like it so far. He did it against Chicago in week 1 and did it again yesterday.
Of the QBs drafted last year, JJ has by far the fewest starts (Penix has 10, everyone else has 20+) and he has the same (or more) number of wins vs. teams with winning records as everyone except Jaden Daniels (5) and Bo Nix (3 - although 1 of those 3 was the Chiefs forfeiting in week 18 last year).
The Lions WR pushed off on the 37 yard TD pass with 2 minutes left. Jordan Addison did less then this on a play last week that was called offensive pass interference.
https://twitter.com/vikingzfanpage/status/1985119074557231291
Boy that McCarthy kid sure sucks doesn't he?
If we are being honest, by NFL franchise QB standards, 100 QB rating...
That's not the standard I'm looking for from a 1st year starter in his 3rd start on the road vs. a division rival that played in the conference championship last season.
If the Lions and Bears can't beat JJ McCarthy in his first two NFL road starts when are they going to be able to beat him? 😉
The key, really, was me expecting a 42-10 loss, and doing yard work most of the afternoon.
You're Welcome!!!
😆
I think you should do some more yardwork on Friday and Saturday, say around 7 pm…😁
Boy that McCarthy kid sure sucks doesn't he?
If we are being honest, by NFL franchise QB standards, 100 QB rating...
That's not the standard I'm looking for from a 1st year starter in his 3rd start on the road vs. a division rival that played in the conference championship last season.
Career QB ratings, per wiki (just a sample):
Derek Carr: 92.8
Joe Montana: 92.3
Chad Pennington: 90.1
Jameis Winston/Dan Marino: 86.4
Roger Staubach: 83.4
Johnny Unitas is not on the list.
Now...tell me with a straight face that QB ratings really matter without context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_career_passer_rating_leaders
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
The key, really, was me expecting a 42-10 loss, and doing yard work most of the afternoon.
You're Welcome!!!
😆
I think you should do some more yardwork on Friday and Saturday, say around 7 pm…😁
Well... I can't do yardwork then. But I can tell you that on Friday and Saturday I am scheduled to 'work' at 7:00pm both nights, until probably around 9:15/9:30. And I will agree to not check my phone during the 2 'breaks' that I get during that time!
So not yard work, but still working, haha.
https://twitter.com/PurpleForTheWin/status/1986071882668421331Boy that McCarthy kid sure sucks doesn't he?
If we are being honest, by NFL franchise QB standards, 100 QB rating, yes he was pretty bad yesterday. He had a 82 passer rating which won't keep you in the league long. By serviceable NFL QB measures, couple year starter before a team moves on, 90 QB rating, he was even below that but getting closer.
Missed a handful of very simple passes that would have picked up nice chunk yardage. A big reason why his average competition was only 5.7 yards. Accuracy is still going to need a lot of work.
The real question is, was it a good game for him and his development? Yes, it was excellent something to build off of try to get some consistency going. Road game, very good opponent and he got it done. In a vacuum it was good for him and that is what is important right now but by no means was that a well played game by NFL standards.
Boy that McCarthy kid sure sucks doesn't he?
If we are being honest, by NFL franchise QB standards, 100 QB rating...
That's not the standard I'm looking for from a 1st year starter in his 3rd start on the road vs. a division rival that played in the conference championship last season.
Career QB ratings, per wiki (just a sample):
Derek Carr: 92.8
Joe Montana: 92.3
Chad Pennington: 90.1
Jameis Winston/Dan Marino: 86.4
Roger Staubach: 83.4Johnny Unitas is not on the list.
Now...tell me with a straight face that QB ratings really matter without context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_career_passer_rating_leaders
They do matter and the modern game show that a QB that can put up a 100 passer rating wins a lot of games and are demonstrated very long term, franchise QBs.
Your examples are almost all QBs that played in completely different eras where the game or offense isn't even remotely similar.
Of the top 10 all QB Passer rating for a career, 7 have played in a Super Bowl and/or won the league MVP.
KOC himself, the QB whisper says there formula is a 100 rating to demonstrate winning consistency.
https://twitter.com/PurpleForTheWin/status/1986071882668421331Boy that McCarthy kid sure sucks doesn't he?
If we are being honest, by NFL franchise QB standards, 100 QB rating, yes he was pretty bad yesterday. He had a 82 passer rating which won't keep you in the league long. By serviceable NFL QB measures, couple year starter before a team moves on, 90 QB rating, he was even below that but getting closer.
Missed a handful of very simple passes that would have picked up nice chunk yardage. A big reason why his average competition was only 5.7 yards. Accuracy is still going to need a lot of work.
The real question is, was it a good game for him and his development? Yes, it was excellent something to build off of try to get some consistency going. Road game, very good opponent and he got it done. In a vacuum it was good for him and that is what is important right now but by no means was that a well played game by NFL standards.
/p>
This is actually a fair post. Yes, a swing pass can be inches from being a "run" or pass depending on where the ball is caught. Its the same for everyone and in this case went against the passing stats, fair point. Same goes for the INT but every QB is going to have a portion of their INTs that weren't their fault but again in this context, one game, also fair point.
My biggest critique and it was in my original post, is accuracy and missing plays that were right there, freebies, chunk yards, first downs. Even with an adjusted competition percentage of 61%, that is still very bottom of the league. That is where he has a lot of room for improvement.
Missed a handful of very simple passes that would have picked up nice chunk yardage. A big reason why his average competition was only 5.7 yards. Accuracy is still going to need a lot of work.
JJ McCarthy goes 3 of 4 for 76 yards on the Vikings opening drive that was finished off by a 4 TD run by Aaron Jones.
The drive included a 3rd and 6 conversion from the Vikings 18 yard line on a 10 yard completion to Jefferson were the blitz got to him but he stood in there and took the hit to make the play.
On 3rd and 4 from the Vikings 34 yard line JJ threw a dime on the sideline to Nailer for 62 yards.
He’s been anbsolutley awful. He is nowhere close to having an NFL arm. A project is an understatement.
The Vikes could be winning with a below average QB. Unfortunately he’s not even close to that.
Things have gone relatively poorly since.
Two word: Fair Catch
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He’s been anbsolutley awful. He is nowhere close to having an NFL arm. A project is an understatement.
The Vikes could be winning with a below average QB. Unfortunately he’s not even close to that.
🤣 🤣
JJ just dropped a perfectly placed pass for a TD. McCarthy should have done better.
Lot of self-inflicted stupidity in the third quarter including bad play calling. I’ve had enough of passing in 3rd and 4th and short.
That false start on McCarthy was BS but so was the PI on Smith.
How do you massively overthrow an uncovered Jefferson?
How do you massively overthrow an uncovered Jefferson?
Josh Freeman has entered the chat.
THAT was a hell of throw and catch!
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McCarthy’s accuracy is ridiculously bad in the second half
That second half was extra stinky
I can not believe how many offensive off side the Vikes had today, it was a home game?
Aloha!
Do you mean false starts? There were 8 of those.I can not believe how many offensive off side the Vikes had today, it was a home game?
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
How do you massively overthrow an uncovered Jefferson?
He has the arm strength. His footwork is bad. He’s not set and aiming when making a lot of throws.
He’s been anbsolutley awful. He is nowhere close to having an NFL arm. A project is an understatement.
The Vikes could be winning with a below average QB. Unfortunately he’s not even close to that.
🤣 🤣
JJ just dropped a perfectly placed pass for a TD. McCarthy should have done better.
It’s McCarthy’s 4th NFL start. And the kid has guts, he’s a Gamer. 4th down TD pass to Nailor was a nice throw. Offensive line has been a Fning Joke today with 8 false starts. KOC play calling today totally SUCKED too. He always wants be the smartest guy on the sideline. JJ has a boat load to learn this season, no doubt. This is a developmental season for Vikings although few Viking fans want to stipulate (that it actually is). By year end we’ll know where we stand with JJ as the starter & go from there. End of story.
2 INTs I hang on McCarthy. 1 was just happenstance (when the other JJ tripped). It LOOKED like a deep throw that was going to be short on purpose, let the D-man get ahead, and just lag a little behind. Obviously won't know, due to what actually happened.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Do you mean false starts? There were 8 of those.I can not believe how many offensive off side the Vikes had today, it was a home game?
One of those was called on McCarthy when all he did was raise up his hands like he was about to catch the snap. That happens constantly and is never called so I don’t know what they were thinking.
He’s been anbsolutley awful. He is nowhere close to having an NFL arm. A project is an understatement.
The Vikes could be winning with a below average QB. Unfortunately he’s not even close to that.
🤣 🤣
JJ just dropped a perfectly placed pass for a TD. McCarthy should have done better.
It’s McCarthy’s 4th NFL start. And the kid has guts, he’s a Gamer. 4th down TD pass to Nailor was a nice throw. Offensive line has been a Fning Joke today with 8 false starts. KOC play calling today totally SUCKED too. He always wants be the smartest guy on the sideline. JJ has a boat load to learn this season, no doubt. This is a developmental season for Vikings although few Viking fans want to stipulate (that it actually is). By year end we’ll know where we stand with JJ as the starter & go from there. End of story.
How is this a "development year" for the Vikings? They are one of the oldest teams in the league. There is no youth, there is no up and coming talent on this roster to fill voids on oline, dline and DB. They are going to have to fill all of holes again this off season in FA.
In regards to McCarthy, the kids has a long way to go. He might be a gamer and he might want to win but none of that is going to matter if he can't learn to throw at an NFL level which he is no where near. He was a disaster the majority of the game today.
This was after last week and it only got worse after the Ravens game.
Fifty-one quarterbacks have started three games in their first season since 2018. McCarthy’s bad-throw rate (23.4 percent) ranks seventh highest, according to Pro Football Reference, and his on-target rate (64.1 percent) is also a bottom-dweller among that group.
Through 4 games he has a 53.7 completion percentage, abysmal. 6 picks, on pace for 25 in a season, horrific. Passer rating by game, 98.5, 37.5, 82.6, 54.5 for a season average of 65.8 around 44-45th place in the league depending on how everything shakes out this week.
This kid has been horrendous through 4 games, it doesn't matter how badly Vikes fans want this kid to work out, it doesn't change the fact he has been awful through his first 4 games, there is no sugarcoating it. Ponder was better through his first 4 games.
He should not be an NFL starter right now, Kwesi fudged that royally. He should be spending a year developing, practicing and working on all of his deficiencies and poor mechanics.
'Member when Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones sucked? I 'member. 😉
Not saying JJ will become a good NFL QB, but man, talk about quick on the trigger....
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
'Member when Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones sucked? I 'member. 😉
Not saying JJ will become a good NFL QB, but man, talk about quick on the trigger....
Quick on what trigger?
Having the patience to develop a 22 year old correctly. A 22 year came off of a season ending injury last year.
No one is saying cut him and move on.
Remember, we now know that the football brass (coaches) in the Vikings organization wanted to retain Jones, Darnold and sign Rodgers. Because they all knew JJ needed time and they were correct.
We also know the GM royally messed it up, offering Jones a low ball 1 year, Darnold a short term deal (sounds like 2) and decided to pass on Rodgers.
Nah nah nah. Jones took LESS money than the Vikes were offering, b/c he had a chance to start.
Darnold, too expensive for the Vikes, I get it, dunno if I agree with it.
F ARodg and his ego and demands. Cancer in the locker room.
JJMc is gonna have growing pains. Sick of the "JJ's horrible, no accuracy, not NFL-caliber..." Of course he's not great. He's a rookie. It takes time to develop. I know I sound like a newbie to the internet, ZOMG haters! 😉
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I am still trying to figure out why KOC went for 2 after the Nailor TD. 2 point try or Extra Point try either way you still need a TD
https://www.footballscoop.com/2025/03/04/coaches-always-go-two-14-late
if a team thinks its two point conversion success rate is ~50% or better it makes sense to go for two in this scenario to increase your odds of winning the game. Lets playout the scenario that the Vikings successfully get two touchdowns and don't give up any points. Also lets Assume that going for the 2 point conversion is a coinflip, 50% Heads is a success, 50% Tails is a Failure.
Scenario A Heads (50% of the time)
-Success, 8pts cuts lead to 6. Another standard 7point touchdown now wins the game so you only need to go for 2pts once in this scenario.
Scenario B Tails then Heads (25% of the time)
-Fail, 6 pts cuts lead to 8. But the second conversion is a success and you have a tie Game
Scenario C Tails then Tails (25% of the time)
-Fail, 6 pts cuts lead to 8. The second conversion attempt is also missed and you lose the game
So 50% of the time you set yourself up to win in regulation. 25% of the time you still force overtime and only 25% of the outcomes are worse versus the traditional go to overtime situation.
Alternatively if you only go for two on the second touchdown, one coin flip, then you have a straight 50% win and 50% lose probability.
In my opinion the only strong argument against this strategy is if you think the success rate is less than 50% for two point conversions given that opponent/matchup.
"Check out the big brains on Brad!"
"I was told there would be no math"
"Can you repeat the part..."
😀
JJMc is gonna have growing pains. Sick of the "JJ's horrible, no accuracy, not NFL-caliber..." Of course he's not great. He's a rookie. It takes time to develop. I know I sound like a newbie to the internet, ZOMG haters! 😉
Oh we know there are going to be growing pains and hopefully he will grow out of them. It would just be nice if he wasn't around 45th ranked in just about every major measurement which puts him below every single starter and about 15 backups so just about every QB who has touched a ball this year.
And it would be nice if he wasn't bottom of the barrel when measured against other QBs making their first starts over the last 8 years.
But yeah, other than all that he's looking great. And there is no case to be made that maybe, just maybe he should be practicing, learning and developing this year because this league is so kind to young QBs who aren't ready.
Fifty-one quarterbacks have started three games in their first season since 2018. McCarthy’s bad-throw rate (23.4 percent) ranks seventh highest, according to Pro Football Reference, and his on-target rate (64.1 percent) is also a bottom-dweller among that group.
Through 4 games he has a 53.7 completion percentage, abysmal. 6 picks, on pace for 25 in a season, horrific. Passer rating by game, 98.5, 37.5, 82.6, 54.5 for a season average of 65.8 around 44-45th place in the league depending on how everything shakes out this week.
JJMc is gonna have growing pains. Sick of the "JJ's horrible, no accuracy, not NFL-caliber..." Of course he's not great. He's a rookie. It takes time to develop. I know I sound like a newbie to the internet, ZOMG haters! 😉
Oh we know there are going to be growing pains and hopefully he will grow out of them. It would just be nice if he wasn't around 45th ranked in just about every major measurement which puts him below every single starter and about 15 backups so just about every QB who has touched a ball this year.
And it would be nice if he wasn't bottom of the barrel when measured against other QBs making their first starts over the last 8 years.
But yeah, other than all that he's looking great. And there is no case to be made that maybe, just maybe he should be practicing, learning and developing this year because this league is so kind to young QBs who aren't ready.
Fifty-one quarterbacks have started three games in their first season since 2018. McCarthy’s bad-throw rate (23.4 percent) ranks seventh highest, according to Pro Football Reference, and his on-target rate (64.1 percent) is also a bottom-dweller among that group.
Through 4 games he has a 53.7 completion percentage, abysmal. 6 picks, on pace for 25 in a season, horrific. Passer rating by game, 98.5, 37.5, 82.6, 54.5 for a season average of 65.8 around 44-45th place in the league depending on how everything shakes out this week.
Can you please post the article you keep quoting? I'd like to read it to get the context.
I am still trying to figure out why KOC went for 2 after the Nailor TD. 2 point try or Extra Point try either way you still need a TD
The announcers said that statistically teams in that position were more likely to win if they went for the extra 2.
Didn’t make sense to me either but then again I hate math so…🤷♀️
Can you please post the article you keep quoting? I'd like to read it to get the context.
The first part is a direct quote from The Athletic - "J.J. McCarthy, Vikings aren't bashful discussing his next phase of QB development" by Alec Lewis:
Fifty-one quarterbacks have started three games in their first season since 2018. McCarthy’s bad-throw rate (23.4 percent) ranks seventh highest, according to Pro Football Reference, and his on-target rate (64.1 percent) is also a bottom-dweller among that group. Neither is a disqualifier.
But the next sentences in the article are more interesting (to me):
For one thing, McCarthy’s sample size is minimal. For another, two of the quarterbacks who posted higher bad-throw rates were Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts.
The Allen arc is maybe the most interesting parallel. He, like McCarthy, played briefly in college. Allen attempted 649 passes at Wyoming, while McCarthy threw 713 at Michigan. Allen, like McCarthy, debuted in the NFL at age 22, working with the same coordinator (Brian Daboll) throughout his first three seasons.
Allen struggled in his first year, completing only 52.8 percent of his passes. (McCarthy is at 57.6 percent.) Because Allen applied so much torque on his arm, and because he understood his own flaws, he sought answers ahead of his second season. He has attributed much of his improvement to Chris Hess, who owns and operates a biomechanical analysis company, and who visited the Vikings’ facility multiple times last season to work with former starter Sam Darnold. Allen’s rewiring is a fascinating test case, potentially altering traditional views on what a progression can look like.
EDIT: there are some more interesting tidbits in the article, but I don't want to quote the whole article as it is behind a paywall.
Those "stats" are lacking so much context that it doesn't make a lot of sense to even put them in the article.
Those "stats" are lacking so much context that it doesn't make a lot of sense to even put them in the article.
Ok. And thank you for providing the necessary context.
Out of 37 QBs to attempt 100+ passes this year, JJ McCarthy currently ranks... 37th in passer RTG, 37th in completion %, 36th in INT%, 28th in yards per attempt and 36th in sack %
The only thing JJ has going for him through 4 games is, "yeah but its a small sample size."
Those "stats" are lacking so much context that it doesn't make a lot of sense to even put them in the article.
Ok. And thank you for providing the necessary context.
Out of 37 QBs to attempt 100+ passes this year, JJ McCarthy currently ranks... 37th in passer RTG, 37th in completion %, 36th in INT%, 28th in yards per attempt and 36th in sack %
The only thing JJ has going for him through 4 games is, "yeah but its a small sample size."
Did McCarthy steal your lunch money? He is 4 games into his career. Which include a road comeback on Monday Night, a road win over one of the best teams in the NFL, and two total duds.
Relax.
Those "stats" are lacking so much context that it doesn't make a lot of sense to even put them in the article.
Ok. And thank you for providing the necessary context.
Out of 37 QBs to attempt 100+ passes this year, JJ McCarthy currently ranks... 37th in passer RTG, 37th in completion %, 36th in INT%, 28th in yards per attempt and 36th in sack %
The only thing JJ has going for him through 4 games is, "yeah but its a small sample size."
Did McCarthy steal your lunch money? He is 4 games into his career. Which include a road comeback on Monday Night, a road win over one of the best teams in the NFL, and two total duds.
Relax.
No. He is simply unqualified and not ready to be playing and this is bad for his development. And it was ludicrous to hand him the starting job with zero competition.
So who should fill in for MCcarthy as starting QB if he can not be a good starting QB?
Aloha!
So who should fill in for MCcarthy as starting QB if he can not be a good starting QB?
Daniel Jones
So who should fill in for MCcarthy as starting QB if he can not be a good starting QB?
Daniel Jones
Too late now. He's gonna get Sam Darnold money.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I get if you didn’t wanna pay Darnold 30 million a year after the way it went in the last couple games last year but letting Jones get away is an opportunity missed by Kwesi. Jones last year in NY was obviously an aberration to me.
From what I hear, they offered Jones 15MM, but he took 14MM from Indy (with a CHANCE to start, something he didn't have here). He bet on himself, and won.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.