The Minnesota Vikings captured an improbable road victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, which helped save the team’s season from the brink while also at least partially reviving both the fans’ and general sporting public’s faith in the efficacy of head coach Kevin O’Connell.
O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have been under fire for weeks after letting both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones leave in free agency, and doing so in favor of a then entirely unproven 22-year-old quarterback in J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy started two games to begin the year, playing mostly poorly save for a brilliant fourth-quarter in the season-opener against the Chicago Bears, which won the Vikings that game despite an 11-point deficit. He then suffered a high-ankle sprain that sidelined him for six weeks, during which time backup Carson Wentz led Minnesota to a 2-3 record.
McCarthy returned on Sunday at Ford Field, putting up a solid overall performance and making big plays in the clutch. O’Connell spoke glowingly about his second-year QB during the postgame press conference, after McCarthy removed some of the heaping pressure from O’Connell’s shoulders.
We saw a lot of the things that he’s capable of doing. … He will only get better and better. But 2-0 on the road in the NFC North with him making some critical, critical plays for us to win the game.
Just the feel of him playing quarterback, mixed with his athleticism, protected himself a couple times when he did steal us some yardage. …. Just his presence. He’s a young player in a heck of an environment today. Really he’s had three starts, two of which [came] in very difficult road environments. And his poise, him running the show, I thought was matched by him making some big-time throws.
Really proud of the way he competed and battled today.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings Hit With Accusations of Hubris for Letting Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones Leave in Free Agency
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
The play of Darnold with the Seattle Seahawks, who are 5-2 heading into a Week 9 matchup with the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football,” and Jones with the Indianapolis Colts, now 7-2 after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, have haunted O’Connell and the Vikings throughout this season.
The decisions to let both walk during the offseason have led to a considerable amount of skepticism and scrutiny in recent weeks.
“They had Daniel Jones last year, let him go. They had Sam Darnold, they let him go,” Danny Heifetz of The Ringer said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” on October 22. “[McCarthy is going to have] more pressure on him than any quarterback going into next year.”
“The Vikings had a very difficult situation, decision, where do you pay Darnold $30 or $40 million a year or do you go with McCarthy? And that’s a hard decision,” Heifetz continued. “So it’s not Monday morning quarterbacking, but they clearly made the wrong decision.”
JJ McCarthy Promises More Good Things to Come for Vikings After Upset Victory Against Lions
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Heifetz’s point may still turn out accurate, as McCarthy has started just three games in his career. However, he didn’t look like the wrong decision on Sunday as he made clutch plays down the stretch to both win and seal a much-needed victory in Detroit.
McCarthy was 14-of-25 passing for 143 yards, two TDs and one INT along with a rushing touchdown. So he was good, though perhaps not great. But it was his poise and the growth that both the quarterback and his team showed with McCarthy back in the lineup that should have Vikings fans at least somewhat optimistic for the second half of the season.
“Obviously a lot of excitement … and I’m just so proud of the guys,” McCarthy told FOX Sports sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi after the game. “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,” McCarthy continued. “We haven’t even gotten close yet.”
Matt LaFleur Expresses Concern as Seat Grows Hot After Packers’ Loss to Panthers
Matt LaFleur, head coach of the
Green Bay Packers, has expressed growing concern after his team’s disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers, acknowledging that the defeat has put extra pressure on both himself and the team moving forward. The Packers, who were favored to win, struggled to execute on both sides of the ball, leading to a frustrating outcome that leaves LaFleur and the organization looking for answers.
“Any loss like this definitely raises questions,” LaFleur said in his post-game interview. “I understand the frustration. As the head coach, it’s my job to get the team ready, and we didn’t perform the way we needed to. I feel the pressure, and I’m doing everything I can to help us get better.”
The Packers have been inconsistent throughout the season, and the loss to the Panthers has intensified the scrutiny on LaFleur’s leadership. With the team’s playoff hopes on the line, LaFleur knows that the next few games are critical, not only for the team’s success but for his own future with the organization.
“I’m not one to shy away from the responsibility,” LaFleur continued. “I know it’s my job to have this team ready to play every week. There’s no room for excuses. We have to look ourselves in the mirror, make the necessary adjustments, and move forward.”
LaFleur’s future with the Packers could hinge on how the team performs in the coming weeks, as the pressure continues to build with each loss. Despite the challenges, he remains focused on finding solutions. “It’s about staying focused and doing the work,” LaFleur said. “I believe in this team, and we have the talent to turn things around. It’s my job to make sure we’re executing, and I’m going to keep pushing for improvement.”
The Packers’ performance against the Panthers has raised serious questions about the team’s ability to compete at a high level, especially after an offseason of high expectations. LaFleur and his coaching staff will need to make quick adjustments if they are to salvage the season and restore confidence in the locker room.
“I know I’m under pressure,” LaFleur concluded. “But I’m also confident in what we can do. We’ve been through adversity before, and I believe we can get back on track. It’s about making the necessary changes and moving forward with a sense of urgency.”
With the clock ticking and the Packers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, LaFleur will need to find a way to rally his team and prove that he can guide them through the challenges ahead.
