Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison (96) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison (96) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (54) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
J.J. McCarthy’s rough home debut: What went wrong for the Vikings?
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) 鈥 Trailing by nine and facing third-and-1 deep in their own end early in the fourth quarter, the Vikings put their trust in quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, his deep pass down the left sideline sailed five yards beyond an open Jalen Nailor鈥檚 grasp and the Vikings were forced to punt.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison (96) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) 鈥 Trailing by nine and facing third-and-1 deep in their own end early in the fourth quarter, the Vikings put their trust in quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, his deep pass down the left sideline sailed five yards beyond an open Jalen Nailor鈥檚 grasp and the Vikings were forced to punt.
It was one miscue on a night filled with them for McCarthy and the Vikings, who in two games have ridden the highs and lows of having a first-year starter at quarterback.
One week after in Chicago that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, McCarthy struggled mightily in his first game in front of Vikings fans. McCarthy completed 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards, was sacked six times and committed three turnovers on Sunday night.
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鈥淭his is unfortunate, but I know we have a great ... culture (in the) locker room and that we鈥檙e going to respond from this,鈥 McCarthy said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to learn and get better and bounce back next week.鈥
Playing most of the game without two of their starting offensive linemen, the Vikings’ offense looked disjointed all night. They rushed for just 78 yards, allowed regular pressure on McCarthy and couldn鈥檛 make a big play when it mattered most.
For instance, the only time they got the ball into the red zone came early in the second quarter. McCarthy and Nailor hooked up for 17 yards to get the ball down to the Atlanta 2-yard line. But then a fumble, a delay of game penalty and a sack derailed any hopes of finding the end zone.
鈥淭hat right there in a nutshell is what the night kind of was,鈥 Vikings coach Kevin O鈥機onnell said. 鈥淎nd there鈥檚 nobody that鈥檚 going to fix those things besides our coaches and players.鈥
Atlanta led 12-6 through three quarters, but Vikings fans had to be hoping for more fourth-quarter magic from McCarthy when Minnesota took over at midfield with 15 minutes left. But on the first play of the quarter, McCarthy was sacked by Zach Harrison and fumbled the ball. The Falcons recovered, added a field goal to make it a two-score game and never looked back.
McCarthy also threw two interceptions and missed a handful of open receivers in big moments, including the deep shot to Nailor on third-and-1 on the first possession after his fumble. But O鈥機onnell saw more good than bad in McCarthy鈥檚 performance.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be easy to try to put the microscope on J.J., and there鈥檚 certainly some plays, some throws, some things that I鈥檓 sure he would love to (have back),鈥 O鈥機onnell said. 鈥淏ut when we did move it, I thought he made some throws and I thought he showed his athleticism.鈥
Just 22 years old, McCarthy has been lauded for his maturity, which showed up after three rough quarters in his debut against the Bears. Now he鈥檚 got another chance to demonstrate how he responds to adversity, both as a quarterback and as a team leader.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an all-11 thing, and it starts with me first,鈥 McCarthy said. 鈥淭his is a long season. Everyone鈥檚 telling me this is a journey and I believe them wholeheartedly.鈥
One veteran teammate said he鈥檚 got full confidence that McCarthy will learn and improve quickly.
鈥淗e鈥檚 built for that,鈥 wide receiver Adam Thielen said. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 why they fell in love with him in the draft process and why we all are so confident in him 鈥 because he鈥檚 legitimately built for that. So it鈥檚 going to be a process as a team, like it is every year.鈥
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