There wasn't a lot that went perfectly for the Minnesota Vikings in their 27-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, but one relationship on the team seems to be catching fire at the right time.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggled in his fourth start of the season, completing under 50% of his passes for 248 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions. McCarthy also led Minnesota in rushing yards with 48 on five carries.
Everyone seemed to notice how much McCarthy struggled to get to his top two targets, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, in the passing game. McCarthy threw it to Jefferson and Addison 23 times, as both caught it a combined seven times for 72 yards in the loss.
Despite Jefferson and Addison struggling, there was one player who emerged in the game that surprised many. It was the only receiver on the team who needed a big game.
Jalen Nailor might have something going with Minnesota Vikings QB McCarthy
Nailor really burst on the scene in Minnesota against the Ravens as he had one of the best games of his career. McCarthy threw it to Nailor six times, as the young receiver caught it a team-high five times for 124 yards, averaging 24.8 yards per reception.
Nailor had a game-high 62-yard reception and caught a clutch 10-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to keep the Vikings in the game.
This is a big season for Nailor, who is in the final year of his four-year rookie contract and trying to prove to either the Vikings or the NFL that he can be a top-two receiver in the NFL. During the 2025 campaign, he has caught 19 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
Before the Ravens game, Nailor's best game was having 37 yards in a game twice, but never hitting over 40 yards. It was different for Nailor as he and McCarthy were in sync throughout the contest. Nailor made some big plays for his second-year quarterback when he wasn't getting production from the others.
It's too early to tell whether this will happen consistently for the Vikings, but it has to happen. There's going to be plenty of games where defense stifles Jefferson and Addison, and they need a reliable number-three guy. Nailor has not been consistent enough about that throughout his NFL career.
If McCarthy can turn to Nailor as that guy and this chemistry keeps improving, the Vikings will be forced to bring back Nailor and ensure that the two don't separate.