J.J. McCarthy’s fake handoff may not be the most important play in the Minnesota Vikings’ 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys. However, McCarthy hoodwinked all 11 of Dallas’ defenders and walked in untouched. He had enough time at the end of the run to do a half-Griddy.
The thing about that, though, is that Kevin O’Connell asked him not to do the Griddy.
“I did it in practice, and I was told not to do it,” McCarthy admitted after the game. “So, it’s just me being who I am. It’s like, well, now I’m more enticed to do it.”
McCarthy may wear No. 9, but nobody is going to confuse him with Jim McMahon anytime soon. McMahon famously called his own plays in the huddle, upsetting his coaches. McCarthy is just dancing when his coach would like him to run the ball into the end zone.
Still, McCarthy has something to celebrate after Sunday night’s game. The Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns earlier in the day, eliminating the Vikings from the playoffs before sundown in Dallas. That meant all eyes were on McCarthy.
Minnesota’s first-year quarterback threw a tipped-ball interception 51 seconds into the game. However, he settled in after that, finishing 15 of 24 for 250 yards, with two touchdowns and just the early interception.
McCarthy’s 108.0 passer rating is the second-highest of his career, only behind the Washington Commanders game last Sunday. His 250 yards passing is a career high. McCarthy had previously thrown for 248 yards in their Week 10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but on 42 attempts.
“[McCarthy] has always shown up the same guy,” said O’Connell, describing the team’s Monday meetings after wins and losses. “He’s always shown up ready to go back to work, ready to be coached. … Even sometimes when it’s not going well, there’s still growth happening.”
The sun has set on the Vikings, but McCarthy’s development remains crucial to their emerging dawn. Putting up 34 points on Dallas’ 29th-ranked defense isn’t an accomplishment on its own. Still, McCarthy had to show he could build off the Commanders game and look like a potential franchise quarterback going into the season.
“With his ability to throw the football, from an arm-strength standpoint, he’s going to have a chance to touch every blade of grass and allow us to be explosive,” said O’Connell.
“He’s made some big-time throws in some big moments. I thought the seam ball to T.J. was a spectacular throw. The throws to Jalen Nailor on the fourth down and the touchdown, moving to his left, flipping his hips, and making that throw. He’s got a ton of ability.”
McCarthy threw both of his touchdown passes to Nailor and found him again for a crucial fourth-and-three.
Still, his favorite pass was on a seam route to T.J. Hockenson.
“It’s probably the seam ball to T.J.,” he said. “It was a tight Cover 2 coverage, kind of pseudo-quarters. But, just playing on time, in rhythm, trusting what I see, being decisive. And, you know, seeing the ball come out exactly the way I wanted to, that was pretty cool.”
That might be true, but the bootleg run had to be the most fun. The Vikings had practiced it during the week, and McCarthy had danced on his way into the end zone.
“The one time we did it in practice, he kinda Griddied in,” said Aaron Jones. “He ran out and just Griddies into the end zone. So, he’s like, ‘If we get this in the game, I’m doing it.”
Of course, the catch is that O’Connell didn’t want him to do it.
“I would say the finish I would not classify as special,” said O’Connell. “It was entertaining, and I guess we’re in the entertainment business.”
McCarthy admitted after the game that he knew O’Connell wouldn’t be a fan of the Griddy.
“Yeah,” he said, “I’ll definitely get a minus for that one.”
Kevin O’Connell probably won’t hold it against him. J.J. McCarthy was a showman on Sunday Night Football at Jerry World. He still has a way to go, but it’s probably a good sign that he’s confident enough to be a little defiant.
