Following a very impressive comeback victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the 2025 season last Monday, the Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy suffered a 22-6 loss on Sunday after delivering a dud of a performance against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy and the Vikings really just couldn't get anything going all night. Minnesota finished with just 198 total yards on Sunday, and the young quarterback ended his night with just 158 passing yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 37.5 passer rating.
Credit also goes to the Falcons' defense, which looks like a very strong unit in Raheem Morris's second season with the franchise.
Week 2 loss to Atlanta Falcons proves the development of Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy still has a long way to go
In just his second start of his young NFL career, McCarthy struggled to evade a suffocating Atlanta pass rush on Sunday. The Falcons' defense pressured the Minnesota quarterback all night long and wound up sacking him six times in the matchup.
Did some of those sacks have to do with the Vikings being without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the second week in a row? Sure, but McCarthy could have also gotten rid of the ball quicker, and Minnesota's play-calling didn't do a whole lot to help him either.
When an opposing defense is generating a bunch of pressure like Atlanta was on Sunday, running screens and other quick-pass plays can do a lot to combat that. In the loss to the Falcons, Vikings running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason only combined for two catches, and that's something that absolutely has to change moving forward.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell should have high expectations for McCarthy, but he should also be playing to his quarterback's strengths. The Vikings currently have an impressive athlete at the quarterback position this season, and through the first two games, that doesn't seem to be something O'Connell has really used to his advantage.
Minnesota and McCarthy will get a chance to rebound next weekend when they remain in the Twin Cities for a Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.