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J.J. McCarthy after Vikings beat Lions, 27-24: 'It was awesome' [FULL]
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters after leading Minnesota to a 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday to improve to 4-4 on the season. McCarthy, in his return from an ankle injury, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - In his first game in six weeks, J.J. McCarthy and his healthy ankle led the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field.
The Vikings improve to 4-4 on the season, 2-0 in the NFC North Division and as long as McCarthy is healthy, there are no questions about the quarterback situation. McCarthy finished 14-of-25 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran nine times for 12 yards.
The Vikings entered the game 9.5-point underdogs. It’s their first win at Ford Field since 2021. McCarthy is now 2-1 as the starting quarterback.
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Vikings locker room reacts after 27-24 win at Lions [FULL]
Vikings players Justin Jefferson, Josh Metellus, T.J. Hockenson, Javon Hargrave, Byron Murphy Jr. and Jalen Nailor react from the locker room after Sunday's 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. J.J. McCarthy sparked the win in his return from an ankle injury as the Vikings improve to 4-4.
The big play
How it happened:
The Vikings had a 17-14 lead in the third quarter when Blake Cashman forced a David Montgomery fumble. Harrison Smith recovered it. The Vikings took advantage, with McCarthy scrambling for a 7-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a 24-14 lead with 6:04 left in the third quarter.
McCarthy later sealed the win for Minnesota, hitting Jalen Nailor on a 16-yard pass on a 3rd-and-5 to give the Vikings a first down. It allowed them to run out the clock. McCarthy got emotional talking about being back on the field after missing six weeks with a high ankle sprain. He also missed all of last year with a torn meniscus.
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Kevin O'Connell reacts after Vikings beat Lions, 27-24 [FULL]
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell speaks with reporters after a 27-24 win over the Detroir Lions on Sunday at Ford Field in J.J. McCarthy's return from an ankle injury. The Vikings are 4-4.
"It was awesome. When you’re hurt, being on IR last year and being out for five weeks, it absolutely kills me not being out there with those guys," McCarthy said. "I love every single one of them. I know they got my back, and I’ve got theirs the rest of the way."
"We saw a lot of the things he’s capable of doing. He’s 2-0 on the road in the NFC North with making some critical plays to win the game," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said. "J.J. made one of the best throws of the day when we absolutely needed it."
Vikings’ defense comes up big
What we know:
The Vikings’ defense did its part in Sunday’s win. They limited Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to just 65 yards rushing. Jared Goff threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked five times.
The Vikings also got a big play on special teams, with Levi Drake Rodriguez blocking a fourth quarter field goal that Isaiah Rodgers got a big return on. It set up a Will Reichard field goal that gave the Vikings a 27-17 lead with 3:40 to play.
What is a catch?!
Why you should care:
There were two controversial plays Sunday that both went against the Vikings. Nailor appeared to make a contested catch that was reviewed, and deemed a Terrion Arnold interception. Nailor’s hand never left the football, and the play stood as a turnover, killing a drive that could’ve gotten the Vikings points.
Justin Jefferson also had what should’ve been a first down catch in the fourth quarter overturned, with the ruling that the ball hit the ground. Jefferson never lost control of the ball, but didn’t get credit for the catch. He finished with six catches for 47 yards and a first quarter touchdown. McCarthy also hit T.J. Hockenson for a touchdown in the first quarter as the Vikings climbed out of an early 7-0 hole to lead 14-7.
Baltimore Ravens next
What's next:
The Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Ravens beat the Miami Dolphins 28-6 on Thursday Night Football and have won two straight games.