Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy tossed two touchdown passes and rushed for a rating within the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Vikings’ 27-24 victory on the rival Chicago Bears final Monday night time after he left a lot to be desired along with his play over the primary three quarters of that sport.
McCarthy then appeared like a piece in progress all through his membership’s 22-6 dwelling loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Following that outcome, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert shared some worrisome stats relating to what McCarthy supplied the Vikings over his first two regular-season begins.
Vikings will want higher from J.J. McCarthy
“The Vikings scored 21 factors within the fourth quarter of their Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears, however they’ve simply 12 factors over the opposite seven quarters,” Seifert wrote. “McCarthy has taken 9 sacks, together with six Sunday night time. The Falcons intercepted two of his passes, and he fumbled thrice, together with twice when he dropped the ball with out being hit, and he misplaced one. His off-target fee was 28.6%, tied for the second-highest fee amongst certified quarterbacks in Week 2.”
Sign-caller Sam Darnold grew to become a revelation whereas working with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell as Minnesota gained 14 video games through the 2024 marketing campaign. Based on Pro Football Reference, Darnold ended Week 18 of that season ranked fifth within the NFL with 4,319 passing yards, fifth with 35 touchdowns by the air and sixth with a 102.5 passer ranking.
To check, ESPN stats present that McCarthy ranks thirty second within the NFL amongst 33 certified gamers with a 20.4 adjusted QBR and final within the league with a 67.2 passer ranking for the continuing marketing campaign. Forward of the “Monday Evening Soccer” doubleheader, solely Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward took extra sacks (11) than McCarthy over the season’s first two weeks.
J.J. McCarthy wants extra reps
“The Vikings’ 5 turnovers are tied for the NFL lead, and their 30.4% conversion fee on third down ranks No. 29 within the league,” Seifert continued. “In consequence, the Vikings have the NFL’s lowest common variety of performs per sport (47.5), minimizing McCarthy’s growth alternatives.”
A 2024 first-round draft choose, McCarthy spent his total rookie season recovering from a full meniscus restore. Thus, it was at all times possible the Minnesota offense would expertise some rising pains with the 22-year-old within the lineup.
That stated, the Vikings appeared like a win-now staff for a lot of final season when Darnold was of their lineup. One can not help however marvel if Minnesota could be 2-0 if Darnold and never McCarthy confronted the Falcons at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.
The 1-1 Vikings will subsequent host a 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals aspect that can be without injured beginning quarterback Joe Burrow this coming Sunday.
