After waiting for what almost seemed like an eternity to see J.J. McCarthy return to the field, Minnesota Vikings fans were rewarded for their patience when the second-year quarterback helped lead the team to an epic win over a heavily favored Detroit Lions team on Sunday.
With the victory, the Vikings' record is now back to .500 at 4-4, and thoughts of making a run to the playoffs are back on the table.
It's been a difficult last few weeks for Minnesota fans with McCarthy sidelined. But on Sunday, he proved why the Vikings have invested so much into making him their future.
J.J. McCarthy leads Minnesota Vikings to upset win over Detroit Lions in Week 9
McCarthy started off his first game back with the Vikings by leading the offense on two straight touchdown drives.
On the first drive, Minnesota's offense moved all the way down to the Lions' 10-yard line before McCarthy tossed a pass to the right side of the end zone toward Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Of course, Jefferson came down with the catch, but he did it in spectacular fashion by using only one hand.
After Minnesota's defense came up with a stop on Detroit's next drive, McCarthy led the Vikings offense on another drive that resulted in six more points for the purple and gold. This time, the drive ended with the Minnesota quarterback finding tight end T.J. Hockenson in the middle of the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown.
Later on in the third quarter, McCarthy used his legs to add another score to the Vikings' total. The Vikings were facing a 3rd-and-8 from the Lions' nine-yard line, and the second-year quarterback evaded pressure and scrambled for a beautiful nine-yard touchdown.
McCarthy wasn't perfect in his first game back since Week 2, but he did just about everything Minnesota needed him to do. He helped the Vikings convert on third downs when they needed them the most, he only turned the ball over once on a questionable call made by the game officials, and he put points on the board with both his arm and his legs.
Minnesota's next game with McCarthy under center will be back on their home field inside U.S. Bank Stadium next Sunday in a tough matchup with a Baltimore Ravens team that won't be easy to defeat.