December 7, 2025 • 34 mins
Welcome back to the Vikings Postgame Report presented by Lumen - The trusted network of A.I. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Washington Commanders 31-0 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Vikings were determined to get back on track, and it showed. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy had his first 3 TD passing game of his career in route to the 31-0 victory. McCarthy ended the game completing 16-of-23 passing for 163 yards, 3 TD's and added 19 yards rushing on the ground. Running Back Aaron Jones Sr. led the running game with 14 carries for 76 yards, while Running Back Jordan Mason added 52 yards and a score. Wide Receiver Jordan Addison led the Vikings receiving game with 4 catches for 62 yards, but Tight End Josh Oliver added 2 touchdowns, and Tight End T.J. Hockenson added another. Kicker Will Reichard had another perfect day, converting a 45-yard field goal and 4 XP's. Defensively, the guys turned up the heat on Washington Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Linebacker Blake Cashman led the defense with 10 tackles, while Defensive Tackle Jalen Redmond and Linebacker Eric Wilson each added a sack. Outside Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and Safety Harrison Smith both grabbed interceptions in the 3rd Quarter of the game, while Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave forced and recovered a fumble in the 4th Quarter. Paul Allen and Pete Bercich breakdown the game, including: J.J. McCarthy’s comfort throwing today, Flores defense once again being aggressive to forced opponent mistakes, and the guys look ahead to give a quick preview of the Vikings upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Plus, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s press conferences are all in this edition of the Vikings Postgame Report - presented by Lumen - The trusted network of A.I.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Yo, what's going on? Is the Vikings postgame report with
p Versuch.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm Paul Allen.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
This is powered by Looman and the Sunday was powered
by everything that is Minnesota Vikings football. Snapping a four
game losing streak, taking the ball from the adversary three times.
JJ McCarthy with a career best three passing touchdowns, Josh
Oliver with a career best two receiving touchdowns. It's the
fiftieth victory all time at US Bank Stadium and JJ
(00:46):
McCarthy finally got a victory in front of the home fans.
What's going on, analyst?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
You do a lot of the little things right and
things go in your favor. And I think for simplifying
the offense and all that was tough with McCarthy pregame.
We noticed early on in the first half just a
lot the timing, just McCarthy not holding out of the football,
making quick decisions, getting rid of it. Was confident and
(01:12):
was able to move this offense up and down the field.
And then the running game just staying with it right,
just wearing out. And we talked about this before the
game started. Just teams that can win the time of possession,
which we did by almost ten minutes. Can just wear
down the Commanders deep about that. And we did you know,
we had one hundred and sixty two yards on the ground.
(01:33):
We had more yards rushing than we did throwing. I
can't remember the last time that happened, right in a win.
And then you get a couple, you get a two
score lead, and then what happens offenses?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
What do they do?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
They start depressed. This is the first time our defense
has been on the field with the lead in a
long time, substantial lead and for a long period of time.
That's when the turnovers start, and then the whole thing
just snowballs. It's a snowball effect. And doing the little
things right, engine, penalties and you know, just all those
little bitty things they all kind of fixed and came
(02:05):
together today with a win for a win against the Commanders.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
We we will hear from Kevin O'Connell and JJ McCarthy shortly.
But something I presented for Pete Bursich, who was a
coach in the NFL coach Linebackers back in the day.
In the pregame show Viking's Football Sunday, KFAM was simplifying
an offense. When when a coach says we're going to
simplify an offense, like what goes into that? So with
(02:30):
that known, what did you see today that played into it?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Yeah, much a much quick, quicker rhythm passing game. We
saw a lot more in the way of tight ends
and all of this. It wasn't put on McCarthy's shoulder.
We didn see a lot of plays checked at the
line of scrimmage. He kind of just got up there
and snapped it, so they didn't think. They took away
a little bit of that run pass option, and then
some of the reads that are down the field and
the deep passing game that we have and we've been
(02:56):
used to just having to read all those progressions, the
safeties and if and then's and all. They just kind
of took all that away. The Commanders helped us by
playing off coverage on the with the corners and allowing
the sidelines to be opened, so they helped in that regard.
But yeah, this just those things and allowing this offense
to get into a rhythm really may really have made
(03:17):
all the difference in the world.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
And for the Vikings during the four game losing streak,
you know, the defense with respect. Everybody has been giving
everything it has. I mean, during that four game losing streak,
Flores defense was holding opponents to twenty five percent on
third down. They sacked Sam Darnold four times, which was
like thirty eight percent of the amount of sax he
took during the year. In the Packers game, remember that
(03:39):
thing was ten to six early in the third quarter.
Then we had a punt problem. They scored. It was
a two score game right there, and that was trouble.
So Brian Flores with Jonathan Gernard Andrew Van Ginkle had
an interception today, so did Harrison Smith Javon Hargrave with
a force fumble and fumble recovery, and it was beautiful.
The Vikings defense, despite the losing streak, has been playing
(04:01):
pretty well. Yeah they have.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And you go into this game minus fifteen in the
take give it's not rocket science about what's been plaguing
this team, and then come out plus three and just
kind of flip that thing on top of its head.
It was just so refreshing, Paul to be able to
see our defense go out there, have fun, show different looks. Yeah, right,
guys making plays. It's just a much more intrigue and
(04:25):
just a better way of playing defense, more fun. That's
how this defense is set up. And you know, I
got to give credit to Flores. He has kept his
foot on the gas pedal. He has been aggressive, aggressive,
aggressive today. Early on in the game, he was very
just blitzing and giving jayde Daniels all kinds of different looks.
And this is again against the number three rushing team
in the NFL. They run the ball well, they have
(04:47):
a trio of really good running backs. We were able
to take them out of that. That's how you neutralize
the run today by getting that kind of a lead
and then not allowing, you know, making them have to
get the ball down the field. So Jane Daniels makes
a mistake, he gets hurt on trying to tackle make
a tackle on an interception and then get Mariota in
and the next thing you know, Harrison Smith picks off
(05:08):
a terrible pass. I mean, it's it's like it's a
snowball effect.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Thirty eight for the hit Man, which moved in past
Joey Browner for fourth best in the history of Minnesota
Vikings football. Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin
O'Connell after a thirty one zero victory in Minneapolis against Washington.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Just want to first and foremost highlight our fans, finally
to give them, it's been a few weeks since we
gave them the type of performance that you know, the
best home environment, best fan base in football deserves at
US Bank Stadium.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Very proud of our team.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Really felt like, you know, in a lot of ways,
whether you're talking the physicality which we played with, protected
the football, able to make some plays in the passing game,
but be efficient enough running the football to stay ahead
of the chains, limited penalty and then like I said,
our defense doing great work all day long keeping him
(06:05):
out of the end zone.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Fourth down stop huge.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
We wanted to start fast, took the ball and able
to put a touchdown on the on the board, and
then defense gets to stop and then we can keep
the ball for the next twelve minutes on a very
long drive from our own two yard line.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Third down conversions.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I thought JJ had some phenomenal plays on third down
and then just continued to play within himself. Decision making
was going to be the priority today and felt like he, uh,
you know, played a very clean game, protected the football,
like I said, ran the show.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
So very proud of him.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
And and and a lot of guys for that matter,
but felt good to you know, play to the standard
that our fans deserve back here at US Bank Stadium,
and a lot of football left players have overcome a
lot of adversity, and really proud and very just very
appreciative I told them of just the consistency of staying
the course and and and remaining together being about things
(07:01):
that are very very important, not only in football in
locker rooms, but beyond that, you know the type of
things that I'm really proud of with our guys. I'm
very appreciative of that. No real injury updates for you guys.
We came out relatively clean and with that, I'll open
it up to you guys.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Was the game plan set up to make things easy
for JJ or did he just execute things better?
Speaker 4 (07:24):
I think it was a combination of JJ's execution staying efficient.
We used some different you know, we had some different
looks early on in the game to try to you know,
some changeups to maybe some things we've done either personnel
wise or schematically, and just tried to you know, get
off to a fast start and then get a little
(07:44):
momentum in the game, allow our defense to play with
the lead and then eventually for some turnovers and then
try to see if we could stack on that by
just staying the course and protecting the football and playing smart.
But I do think the situational football is probably not
gonna be talked about. But when you run the football efficiently,
that's great. But you're gonna have some third downs and
(08:05):
when you even some third mediums, third and eleven and
whatever it was when Justin converted on uh, you know,
kind of in the field goal range there and we
convert on that, it's it has to pair together with
being situationally sound if you're gonna play a physical kind
of run style of a game, and that's where JJ
(08:25):
you know, uh, I thought was phenomenal, especially with some
some pretty good ops there in the first half.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
What goes into the decision to receive from the outset.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Of the game, it's kind of a field thing. Just
you know, it's been, it'd been we wanted to. You know,
A big point for the week was starting fast alec
in the game, and sometimes that means putting your putting
your defense out there and getting to stop but when.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
You take the ball.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It allows really two phases to start fast at the
same time with the new kickoff rule jug you know,
Miles with the the really nice return there, and then
before you know it, when you get a return like that,
if you can sustain and get that first first down.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Now you at least have the field position on your side.
But obviously the.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
Goals to go in there and get seven points to
start the game and kind of.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Lift the building in.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
A lot of ways where we avoid any sort of
feeling of when you're in the midst of struggle, it's
very easy to let your mind either on the field
or and the bleed in the stands, to let your
mind kind of to wander to hear we go again.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And I just didn't want to.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Allow it and trusted our guys to get off to
the start that they did and then we were able
to sustain for the rest of the day. But I
thought the defensive stop down there in the low red
zone on the fourth down and then to drive it
ninety eight after that, and you know, one of the
longer drives I think of the season in the NFL
was a pretty unique way to start fast. It wasn't
(09:48):
necessarily explosives and throwing the ball over the yard, but
very efficient. I was really proud of the guys the
way we did that.
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Tight ends are pretty active early on that first drive, yep.
Route really intentional or sort of how the defense was just.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
There was parts of the plan where you know, in
many cases we had three of them on the field,
we had two and CJ on the field. We just
wanted to be versatile in how we kind of attacked
on the early downs and try to see if we
can you know, have some early down success running the
football out of those groupings and then pairing that with
some kind of just schematical ways of trying to get
(10:24):
some easy completions and then you know, ultimately then you
still got to execute on third down, which when you know,
we get into those normal eleven groupings or if we're
in twelve, you know, we obviously feel great about those
groupings as well, but just trying to you know, play
in a style where it's easy for our guys. We
we lined up in a lot of different ways, but
(10:45):
yet some some formulas of how we wanted to play
to try to pair some things together both with the
run in the past and our guys handled it really
really well.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
Aj works back started to the left and then works
all the way back to Josh on that touchdown. Is
that kind of an example of playing faster and thinking
through things being able with lessons working faster you've talked about.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Yeah, I just think you know, it's as many times
as he can go to the line of scrimmage and
just totally focus on his job, you know, come off
that kind of quick play action fake and if he's
got you know, his his eligible at the top of
his drop, pull the trigger and throw it be decisive.
But if you don't get drives backside and we taught
(11:25):
main coverage on that and Jail was able to kind
of slip off of block and be uncovered.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
You talk about the decision making as a priority for
the week. How what does your immediate takeaway on on
how he did?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Yeah, it just you know, when when JJ is at
his best, there's conviction. You can feel it in his
his fundamentals and technique pair together because he's got conviction.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
On what he's going to do with the ball.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
And there's still some you know, there's gonna be a
thousand things we'll look at, and you know, foot placement
here and all that stuff, But part of the mentality
of where I want him now after having experience, knowing
what it's felt like in games, know it's what it's
felt like in an NFL pocket. Now after a collection
of playing time and starts to just start applying that
(12:08):
out of all this experience, you can hopefully take from
it that the success comes from the simplicity of making
sure the starting.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Point of doing my job.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I checked that box because it's hard enough to play
if you're then adding variables to the starting point.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Of if they do this, and and and and.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
His mind, he's he's very much a guy that wants
to play the mental game within the snap and sometimes
it can he can simplify it for himself within just
the play that's called and setting his feet and eyes
to number one and then progressing with great fundamentals from there,
and and and being accurate. I thought there were some
really good examples of that today, and now we just
got to build on it.
Speaker 9 (12:47):
Essential was it to have a game like that as
you start having these building lots.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
But he just needed some full attraction.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Yeah, I mean, look, we the I told the players,
you know, as a whole they've heard me talk a
lot this year, and they've heard me talk a lot,
and you know, try to continue to make sure guys
understand that I'm aware one of I do believe I
have a decent amount of awareness to my leadership style
(13:15):
and ability, and I'm first and foremost aware of where
a stretch of games like this can allow anybody to go.
And the noise and the things are absolutely justified. But
when in doubt, we get to work every single week
towards a sixty minute opportunity regardless of anything that's transpired
before or as I told them, anything that will transpire
(13:35):
from here. We get this opportunity to make sure that
we are, you know, proving some growth that through adversity.
I think it's the best grounds to have that growth
growth happen. But you still have to go do it,
and you still have to have a team that stays
together through all of this. And it was good to
win a game. We needed to win a football game,
and the guys came out and did that.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
That nineteenth play drive.
Speaker 8 (13:58):
Just how rewarding event is at.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
The for an offense as sub struggle was the last
two weeks.
Speaker 9 (14:02):
But pretend to put it all together in that.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Yeah, I think it kind of highlighted the possibilities of
I think we were five to five on third down
on the drive. You know, we stayed relatively efficient, even
though maybe we didn't have the.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Explosive the explosive.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Run throughout, we still, you know, we're able to stay efficient,
keep those third down somewhat manageable, make some pretty relatively
routine throwing catches that we're good to see those hit
and stack plays on top of that. It was a
stacking positive play kind of day and just making sure
that it was about what the Minnesota Vikings were doing
well and consistent, which has been a big theme this year.
(14:42):
Whether it's penalties, whether it's turnovers. We just haven't had
enough sustained times. And I think we've had a couple
of home games now where we've been able to get
a pretty significant lead by doing a lot of those things,
especially early on in the game and then allowing the
defense to have some ops at potentially taking way the
football and and and then for this team, when we're
(15:03):
sustaining that and running the football and being good on
third down, we have the ability to eat clock, We
have the ability to protect the football and get points
the majority of the times we touch it.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
What goes through your mind when banking Dove said, again.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Yeah, he's been close on a few. I know you
guys know that he's been close on a few. But
the first thing I always think is, you know, you're
shocked that they threw it to his side, and but
it's part of offense. They're just trying to have answers
for some of the things that we present schematically.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
But it was great to see. It was absolutely great
to see the coach.
Speaker 9 (15:40):
When you when you talk about the growth of JJ
from getting of the season to where he played today
at the phenomenal game, how would you like to see
his growth more and forward toward us thinking about at
the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Yeah, I just I think when you know, when you
have examples of things that that that you hear a
lot throughout the week, you have examples of real examples
out on the grass with those other ten guys in
the huddle and were off on the sideline, And no
matter how much I yap into that headset, it's still
him out there hopefully absorbing the feeling of what winning
(16:14):
football can be for our team. When our quarterback plays
winning football, and that's what he did today, regardless of
statistics or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
He played winning football.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
He protected the ball, he made throws situationally, he made
some chunk throws on some of the early downs, and
even though Washington was kind of live in a world
where they were going to not allow us to potentially
get the ball down the field, we had some ops
if protection allowed, and on a couple of plays we didn't.
You know, maybe we didn't hold up or maybe it
(16:45):
was an NFL pocket that just didn't allow it, and
we not only survived the down.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
He made some plays with his legs.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
He checked the ball down a few times, and the
ball just kept going forward for the most part. So
still gonna be some stuff that will absolutely be coaching,
and he's been and he's been tireless the way he's
worked all year long. But now we have yet another
example of not just a divisional the game in the
opener where we have a divisional comeback late, we go
(17:11):
to Detroit and do a lot of the things we
did today as a football team, and we're able to
win in a very tough place to play.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Now we have this example.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
So if we can keep stacking, not only positive plays
within the games, but stacking the feeling of what winning
football is. I think it can be growth for all
of us as we keep moving forward.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Is there one play today you would highlight to demonstrate
what JJ did well today?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
I think there's really two.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
You know, the last fourth down touchdown to TJ was
you know, they're playing kind of a split safety.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Look.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
Justin Jefferson does an unbelievable job outside releasing on the
cloud corner, which opens up the window for TJ. But
JJ's got to trust that thing and locate that football
accuracy in the low red zone put us in the
end zone right there. Decisive decision kind of the intent
of the play if we've got if we got the
coverage that we did, and then we had some answers
(18:10):
within the play if we didn't, but just decisive and
then I would say, you know, I think back to
I don't remember what the D and D was, but
Jordan Addison on a third down had a you know,
a long completion where JJ, you know, that was not
his first progression. Justin Jefferson got taken away and he
throws a pretty nice leveled kind of drive throw to
(18:30):
the void, and and and realizes that Jordan Addison's gonna
go get that ball for him like he did, which
was a critical play on that. I believe it was
on the ninety eight yard drive do you bout left?
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (18:43):
Yeah, and basically the same one from Chico game that
landed short of Jordan. I know it looked the.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Same, similar, similar, similar route, kind of more of a
more of a drop back, third down kind of concept.
But yes, that's that's a good observation. Similar, similar route
that played out a little bit different coverage with kind
of a zoning defender out in front of Justin on
a on a route and then you got.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
To layer that ball up and over.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
But the layering of the ball, feel in that space,
finding it in rhythm.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Those two plays jump out for sure.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
They touched the first touchdown to Josh.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It's a I mean a first kind of handful of.
Speaker 8 (19:19):
Passes as an example of the simplifying things and.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Can no, I mean, I mean that's a you know,
that's a what I loved about that, and Mark and
I think schematically we can we can spend all afternoon
if you guys want to going through you know the
what we're being, what he's being asked to do on
plays and things like that, but really it's just a
matter of him being decisive. The first completion of the
(19:45):
day to Ben Simms, we're trying to throw the ball
to Justin Jefferson, they took it away. How how clean
can you be with progression football and put it in
play And that was a That was a big play
to get us a new set of downs.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Turn that thing across the fifty and then keep playing.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
But yeah, and then, and what that does when he
does some things earlier, it allows him to be in
a quote unquote decision making rhythm where he can be decisive.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
It's single high.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
We've got a four vertical concept on where you're gonna
have a chance at either one of those tight ends
in a big grouping or you're gonna check the ball down.
And if you do that, that's okay too. But we
just have to be able to call some of those
plays and give him a chance to play quarterback and
then maintain possession of the ball throughout and.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
You're gonna get more ops. We got over sixty.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Plays today, although I think we're probably keeping score. We
had a few kneel downs, so not not a very
accurate portrayal of the total number of plays. So just well,
go ahead, So I tell you how happy he was
for the big dray even though he gets.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
In as many touches that he would like to have. Yeah,
moving forward, how would you how can he get more
balled in the opp Yeah.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
He had a chance for a touchdown there in the
second half and JJ got moved off the spot, but
actually kind of created a play on the sideline to
you know, put an exclamation point on the day and
had a chance there, but JJ had to move off
the spot. But we're going to find ways to get
Justin the ball. He did not play sixty minutes today.
(21:12):
That was a tough conversation. He tried to avoid me
and run out on the field with about seven or
eight minutes left in the game. We were able to
kind of, you know, a collective group effort between myself, Keenan,
and a couple other folks, probably Dave of course our
security guy as well, because Justin did not want to
come out of the game.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Obviously. But if Justin.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
Has demonstrated anything this year, the leadership smile on his
face right now, he wants to win. I think along
the lines of in this day and age where it's
really easy to look at these and say this guy
did this and this guy did that. Justin Jeffers has
been playing at a really high level, and he did
again today. It's not necessarily going to always show up
in the stat sheet, but he means the absolute world
(21:56):
to this organization. And you don't have a performance like
we did today, your leadership, justin being a huge part
of that remains to drive, remains driving the ship forward.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And bring in some teammates along with him.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
All right, Coach talked about JJ McCarthy. We're gonna hear
from me momentarily. But with McCarthy, everything was just quicker today.
Whether it was a close game or not, it was.
It was three five, seven step drop fire and I
started out four for four forty six yards. I touched
down to Oliver, built his confidence. JJ looked good today,
Yeah he did.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
And you know one of the things with McCarthy too,
is just the average distance that he's trying to complete
passes has been around ten yards. It's been it's been
way up there, and so I think they short and
they shortened that for him. They weren't, you know, he
wasn't taking so many shots deep down the field, and
you know, you know, so we saw the rapport with
the tight ends. You know, we're still kind of waiting
(22:52):
on how does Justin Jefferson fit into all of this? Right,
two receptions eleven yards, You've got a shorter, quicker passing game.
How is Justin Jefferson going to fit in all this?
I think that's the next kind of piece of the puzzle,
as long as everything else stays the same, Ye keeps
going in that direction, but much more of a controlled
short passing game today.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Yeah. I was giggling while you were talking because Tatum Everett,
who helps us immensely with this, she was looking at
me giggling because she's seen you and I more so
me after the last four games, just apoplexy, Like now
it's a okay, we're five and eight and not going
to the playoffs, but this sure beats the alternative. Specifically
for those of us who spend a lot of time
(23:33):
around the facility. That would include JJ McCarthy, quarterback for
the Minnesota Vikings, a career best three passing touchdowns today
and his first win at US Bank Stadium. Here's what
Number nine had to say after the.
Speaker 10 (23:45):
Game, obviously, great to get the win here at US
Bank Stadium today, great to get a fast start. I
thought the defense played fantastic. Getting those turnovers really just
does a lot for the entirety of the team and
the momentum for the offense. So I thought we played,
but you know, there's still gonna be a lot of
things we got to clean up, and it's just another
step in the right direction.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
You looked very calm in the pocket. Did you feel
calm in the pockets today?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
For sure?
Speaker 10 (24:09):
Offensive line played fantastic, receivers were getting open. Coach O'Connell
was calling great plays where it was just put it
in play kind of feel to it, and uh yeah,
it was just a very comfy pocket all day.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Did it was different today?
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Maybe in the complete, just all four quarters compared to some.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Of the early games.
Speaker 10 (24:27):
I just feel like we were able to stack positive
plays and you know, execute in all three phases. That's
something you know that's gonna win you a lot of
football games, and we just got to continue to strive
to do that every single week.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
When you guys win there, you get the chance to
tick the ball first.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
How much had you.
Speaker 7 (24:42):
Talked about that throughout the week of if we get
the coin toss, we're gonna go out and try to
set up message.
Speaker 10 (24:47):
Early found out like maybe ten seconds before the coin toss.
But uh, you know, no matter what, we don't let
that dictate you know how We're gonna attack each and
every play. Every time we get the ball, we're expecting
to score. So you know, just gives us you know,
the let's go koh, you know, kind of feel to
it going into the game. But you know, at the
end of the day, it's just all about executing.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
When you get that chance to go out there that quickly,
I guess how much does that kind of instills confidence
in you? Hey, this is a chance to get some momentum,
which we haven't done a lot this year.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
Early it meant a lot because you know, that was
our you know, key pillar to the game was starting fast.
And for coach O'Connell to say, you know, the offense
is going to start it off for us, you know,
it was tremendous honor and you know, I was happy
we were able to go and reassure him that we're
able to do that. And you know, the defense, they
they are just right up there with starting fast and
(25:37):
they had a tremendous game. Obviously, that fourth and one
stop on the goal line is you know, what our
team's all about, what our defense has been all about
all year.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So yeah, it's great for you to stack positive plays.
Like how validating is it?
Speaker 5 (25:49):
Just in terms of the work that you're putting in.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
On a daily basically extremely validating.
Speaker 10 (25:54):
You know a lot of things have to come together
for that to happen, but obviously the biggest role in
that happening is the quarter back and you know, just
to find a rhythm, find a flow. It was a
lot of fun doing that.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
So is there any particular play or decision you made
that still kind of stands on your mind? And you
feel pretty good and devout right now.
Speaker 10 (26:13):
You know, there's a lot that is going through my
head right now in terms of what I need to
do better, what I was you know, happy with, but
at the end of the day, just happy we got
the win and you know we're gonna critique this like
crazy tonight and fix it tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Do you think today was a result of having done
a lot of work on your mechanics or is it
more not thinking about mechanics and just playing.
Speaker 10 (26:35):
In my opinion, I think it was just playing, you know,
just going out there. And you know, the big message
of last night's team meeting was, you know, play for
that sixteen year old self, that sixteen year old version
of yourself. Understand you know what got you into this game,
what made you fall in love with this game, regardless
of the record, regardless of where we are this season.
Just go out there and have fun, play fast, play free.
(26:56):
And I feel like we all did that today. Who
was putting that message out Coach Hawkins. He talked to
the offense on I believe Wednesday or Thursday in the
unit meeting, and then coach O'Connell reiterated it last.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Night, like your sixteen year olds self, I did a.
Speaker 10 (27:11):
Little bit, yeah, with a lot of wisdom that I
picked up, you know from this year and just you know,
all the learning lessons from them. But you know, just
felt like it was a bunch of guys out there
that were having fun and yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
It's good.
Speaker 11 (27:24):
Jonathan Grenard said something interesting. He said that you played
in such a ice way that you can't win back
any of the games that you've lost in terms of
having that short memory, and then to go out there
and do that when you have a defensive guy kind
of notice that change in you and not carrying any
ghosts of past losses forward.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Means everything? You know.
Speaker 10 (27:44):
I have so much respect for that guy, especially just
the tremendous player. He is tremendous leader, the character that
he has, it means the world. But at the end
of the day, it doesn't matter, you know what happened today.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
It's about doing.
Speaker 10 (27:56):
It again and consistently growing and staying on the right
trojeck of being the best version of ourselves. So yeah,
but it means a lot for sure.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
I know you're you're always been confident, but did you
need like some early success today to just kind of
find that rhythm? I mean, knowing how things have gone,
you know in the past.
Speaker 10 (28:14):
Few games, I feel like early late, it doesn't matter
when it happens, it's just got to happen. So being
able to do it when we wanted to start and
fast obviously that carries momentum throughout the game. But you know,
just focusing on that play, one play at a time,
think was the best thing for me today.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
Be reminded that you can play that way.
Speaker 10 (28:35):
I guess, yeah, but I don't know, but would you
ask not like just to be reminded that.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
You yeah, like that.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
Yeah, it's definitely reassuring. I always knew I had that,
and I always knew the potential is there, but you know,
I'm looking at it right now, like there's so many
ways I could get better. There's so I'm so far
from where I want to be. So, you know, it's
just great to get the win. And uh, you know, girl,
in this uh, in this game.
Speaker 7 (28:59):
In terms of working through and being as decisive with
that as you were today, what do you feel like
a difference.
Speaker 10 (29:03):
Was that familiarity with the concepts? You know, this was
a lot of stuff that we worked on in OTA's
in training camp, and you know it was specialty routes
for you know, those specific guys. So I feel like,
you know, with the offensive line, obviously, it all starts
with them playing their ass off today and made everything flow.
Speaker 11 (29:21):
What was it like on the field to throw up
that nineteen play drive and what was the feeling of
walking off.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
After scoring touchdown?
Speaker 10 (29:28):
No idea, it was nineteen plays, but you know here
in twelve minutes here and it was one of the
longest drives and time of possession for that drive in
Viking's history.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
It's awesome.
Speaker 10 (29:38):
But you know, we just can't wait to go do
it again. And the boys were huffing and puffing, but
good thing we were conditioned and uh, you know, prepared
for that moment.
Speaker 5 (29:45):
You finished a lot of runs today by diving forward.
I've heard some quarterbacktually as actually the safer way to
finish a run. Is that intentional or is that just
what was there for you at the moment.
Speaker 10 (29:54):
It's always been intentional. I picked that up from a
coach Harbaugh when I was at Michigan, just understanding gonna
lose yards and you're getting to the ground quicker and
your head's not as exposed, but you always got to
be cautious whether you're you know, sliding feet first or
head first. Those guys are coming to hit you. So
you know there's a time and place for everything.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
But yeah, for.
Speaker 9 (30:12):
Sure, JJ coach talked a lot about getting you comfortable.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
We talked to Justin earlier.
Speaker 9 (30:16):
He said, you know, one of the things is we
can't forget that JJ's a young quarterback's figuring it out.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
How important is it.
Speaker 9 (30:22):
For you to be on the field and getting as
many reps as possible to just get your footing back.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
On the meek extremely important. You know, that's where it's
all about.
Speaker 10 (30:30):
That's how you're gonna grow and get better experiencing the
live bullets. And you know that's something I learned very
early on in my career. The best ability you can
have it is availability, and that goes back to your
question about sliding the right way and when to do that,
when to throw the ball away. So yeah, the more
reps the better, and honestly, just the more reps with
these guys the better because I love playing with them
(30:51):
every single snap.
Speaker 9 (30:52):
Besides getting w's like, how do you for you personally
your own growth development?
Speaker 2 (30:56):
How do you want to close this season? I'm strong?
What is a successful JJ season looks like for you?
Speaker 10 (31:03):
Being disciplined with the football, making the right decisions, winning
football games obviously, but doing all the little things right
day in and day out, building those habits that are
concrete going into the offseason, and continue to go on
that trajectory. But all we care about is the next day,
the next meeting, the next practice, and you know we'll
be in a good spot by the end of it.
Speaker 7 (31:22):
JJ, is there any part of you when it's a
veteran offense like this that says it's important to have
a game like this just to kind of show the
more experienced players around me that I can deliver this
and it doesn't have to be something. But they have
to wait much longer for that to happen.
Speaker 10 (31:36):
That wasn't really a thought going in, but feeling it
afterwards from the guys, it means a lot. And you know,
it's just something that I feel like should have happened
a lot earlier. So you know, I absolutely love those
guys for the grace and patience they've had with me.
But you know, we got to continue to do it again.
You're only successful as your last successful act, and we're
going to get to work, you know, tomorrow, Tuesday or
Wednesday and keep this thing rolling.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
JJ Kevin highlighted the touchdown to TJ.
Speaker 8 (32:04):
What did you see on that one?
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Read two?
Speaker 10 (32:06):
Kind of simple as day coverage. Understanding that Jets on
the fade ball if they were playing any sort of
man got to fit it in there on fourth and one.
It can't be a tipball or anything like that. Had
to move my eyes with Luvu because he's such a
great player in reading eyes and very quick and agile.
But TJ and I talked about it all week. It's
the built in reps throughout the week that made that
play come to life. And he made a tremendous catch
(32:29):
and stayed up two, which was pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
All Right, Sunday Night at Dallas Sunday Night football against
Dak Prescott, Ceedee Lamb and that gang and really just
continuing the positivity and the maturation of JJ McCarthy. That's
still the a topic it is.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
And you know, for for the Cowboys, they're going to
get a look at a kind of a completely different
offense from what we saw in Seattle, but the defense
is really going to get tested. This is a very
good Dallas Cowboys offense. I know Ceee Lamb's been nicked up.
They got some people nicked up.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
We'll see.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
We got some time for them to heal. But this
is this is an offense that it wants to throw
the football. You know, they have a lot of talent
at the wide receiver position. Can we get to Dak
Prescott like we did today against Jade and Daniels. Can
we force him into some bad throws, which I think
we can do so it's gonna be a great test
(33:21):
for the defense and for the offense. Just just Paul,
I guess I can't say this is the first game
at J J. McCarthy hasn't thrown an interception, Yep, right,
I mean, and it's it's no small deal. It's no
small deal at all. The way you know, the having
given being minus fifteen and the take give right worse
than the NFL by three. That is the main culprit
(33:43):
that in penalties things like that, and we fixed almost
all of that today and that was a difference. We
had one one penalty on offense and it killed a drive,
So that you know what I mean. It's like our
margin of error isn't good enough or big enough where
we can go ahead and make those mistakes. We didn't
make those today, and that's why you get a thirty
one to nothing win.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Thirty one zero Vikings. As the analyst just said, make
sure to keep it here at Vikings dot com, not
only four between the lines with Tatum and Ben, but
everything up to the Cowboys gameskull stories, interviews, film breakdowns,
and so much more. Great day today for Minnesota Vikings football.
The fiftieth win at US Bank stadium for Pete VERSAG.
I'm Paul Allen. That's the Vikings postgame report, powered by
(34:28):
Luman
Yo, what's going on? Is the Vikings postgame report with
p Versuch.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm Paul Allen.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
This is powered by Looman and the Sunday was powered
by everything that is Minnesota Vikings football. Snapping a four
game losing streak, taking the ball from the adversary three times.
JJ McCarthy with a career best three passing touchdowns, Josh
Oliver with a career best two receiving touchdowns. It's the
fiftieth victory all time at US Bank Stadium and JJ
(00:46):
McCarthy finally got a victory in front of the home fans.
What's going on, analyst?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
You do a lot of the little things right and
things go in your favor. And I think for simplifying
the offense and all that was tough with McCarthy pregame.
We noticed early on in the first half just a
lot the timing, just McCarthy not holding out of the football,
making quick decisions, getting rid of it. Was confident and
(01:12):
was able to move this offense up and down the field.
And then the running game just staying with it right,
just wearing out. And we talked about this before the
game started. Just teams that can win the time of possession,
which we did by almost ten minutes. Can just wear
down the Commanders deep about that. And we did you know,
we had one hundred and sixty two yards on the ground.
(01:33):
We had more yards rushing than we did throwing. I
can't remember the last time that happened, right in a win.
And then you get a couple, you get a two
score lead, and then what happens offenses?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
What do they do?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
They start depressed. This is the first time our defense
has been on the field with the lead in a
long time, substantial lead and for a long period of time.
That's when the turnovers start, and then the whole thing
just snowballs. It's a snowball effect. And doing the little
things right, engine, penalties and you know, just all those
little bitty things they all kind of fixed and came
(02:05):
together today with a win for a win against the Commanders.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
We we will hear from Kevin O'Connell and JJ McCarthy shortly.
But something I presented for Pete Bursich, who was a
coach in the NFL coach Linebackers back in the day.
In the pregame show Viking's Football Sunday, KFAM was simplifying
an offense. When when a coach says we're going to
simplify an offense, like what goes into that? So with
(02:30):
that known, what did you see today that played into it?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Yeah, much a much quick, quicker rhythm passing game. We
saw a lot more in the way of tight ends
and all of this. It wasn't put on McCarthy's shoulder.
We didn see a lot of plays checked at the
line of scrimmage. He kind of just got up there
and snapped it, so they didn't think. They took away
a little bit of that run pass option, and then
some of the reads that are down the field and
the deep passing game that we have and we've been
(02:56):
used to just having to read all those progressions, the
safeties and if and then's and all. They just kind
of took all that away. The Commanders helped us by
playing off coverage on the with the corners and allowing
the sidelines to be opened, so they helped in that regard.
But yeah, this just those things and allowing this offense
to get into a rhythm really may really have made
(03:17):
all the difference in the world.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
And for the Vikings during the four game losing streak,
you know, the defense with respect. Everybody has been giving
everything it has. I mean, during that four game losing streak,
Flores defense was holding opponents to twenty five percent on
third down. They sacked Sam Darnold four times, which was
like thirty eight percent of the amount of sax he
took during the year. In the Packers game, remember that
(03:39):
thing was ten to six early in the third quarter.
Then we had a punt problem. They scored. It was
a two score game right there, and that was trouble.
So Brian Flores with Jonathan Gernard Andrew Van Ginkle had
an interception today, so did Harrison Smith Javon Hargrave with
a force fumble and fumble recovery, and it was beautiful.
The Vikings defense, despite the losing streak, has been playing
(04:01):
pretty well. Yeah they have.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And you go into this game minus fifteen in the
take give it's not rocket science about what's been plaguing
this team, and then come out plus three and just
kind of flip that thing on top of its head.
It was just so refreshing, Paul to be able to
see our defense go out there, have fun, show different looks. Yeah, right,
guys making plays. It's just a much more intrigue and
(04:25):
just a better way of playing defense, more fun. That's
how this defense is set up. And you know, I
got to give credit to Flores. He has kept his
foot on the gas pedal. He has been aggressive, aggressive,
aggressive today. Early on in the game, he was very
just blitzing and giving jayde Daniels all kinds of different looks.
And this is again against the number three rushing team
in the NFL. They run the ball well, they have
(04:47):
a trio of really good running backs. We were able
to take them out of that. That's how you neutralize
the run today by getting that kind of a lead
and then not allowing, you know, making them have to
get the ball down the field. So Jane Daniels makes
a mistake, he gets hurt on trying to tackle make
a tackle on an interception and then get Mariota in
and the next thing you know, Harrison Smith picks off
(05:08):
a terrible pass. I mean, it's it's like it's a
snowball effect.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Thirty eight for the hit Man, which moved in past
Joey Browner for fourth best in the history of Minnesota
Vikings football. Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin
O'Connell after a thirty one zero victory in Minneapolis against Washington.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Just want to first and foremost highlight our fans, finally
to give them, it's been a few weeks since we
gave them the type of performance that you know, the
best home environment, best fan base in football deserves at
US Bank Stadium.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Very proud of our team.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Really felt like, you know, in a lot of ways,
whether you're talking the physicality which we played with, protected
the football, able to make some plays in the passing game,
but be efficient enough running the football to stay ahead
of the chains, limited penalty and then like I said,
our defense doing great work all day long keeping him
(06:05):
out of the end zone.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Fourth down stop huge.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
We wanted to start fast, took the ball and able
to put a touchdown on the on the board, and
then defense gets to stop and then we can keep
the ball for the next twelve minutes on a very
long drive from our own two yard line.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Third down conversions.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I thought JJ had some phenomenal plays on third down
and then just continued to play within himself. Decision making
was going to be the priority today and felt like he, uh,
you know, played a very clean game, protected the football,
like I said, ran the show.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
So very proud of him.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
And and and a lot of guys for that matter,
but felt good to you know, play to the standard
that our fans deserve back here at US Bank Stadium,
and a lot of football left players have overcome a
lot of adversity, and really proud and very just very
appreciative I told them of just the consistency of staying
the course and and and remaining together being about things
(07:01):
that are very very important, not only in football in
locker rooms, but beyond that, you know the type of
things that I'm really proud of with our guys. I'm
very appreciative of that. No real injury updates for you guys.
We came out relatively clean and with that, I'll open
it up to you guys.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Was the game plan set up to make things easy
for JJ or did he just execute things better?
Speaker 4 (07:24):
I think it was a combination of JJ's execution staying efficient.
We used some different you know, we had some different
looks early on in the game to try to you know,
some changeups to maybe some things we've done either personnel
wise or schematically, and just tried to you know, get
off to a fast start and then get a little
(07:44):
momentum in the game, allow our defense to play with
the lead and then eventually for some turnovers and then
try to see if we could stack on that by
just staying the course and protecting the football and playing smart.
But I do think the situational football is probably not
gonna be talked about. But when you run the football efficiently,
that's great. But you're gonna have some third downs and
(08:05):
when you even some third mediums, third and eleven and
whatever it was when Justin converted on uh, you know,
kind of in the field goal range there and we
convert on that, it's it has to pair together with
being situationally sound if you're gonna play a physical kind
of run style of a game, and that's where JJ
(08:25):
you know, uh, I thought was phenomenal, especially with some
some pretty good ops there in the first half.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
What goes into the decision to receive from the outset.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Of the game, it's kind of a field thing. Just
you know, it's been, it'd been we wanted to. You know,
A big point for the week was starting fast alec
in the game, and sometimes that means putting your putting
your defense out there and getting to stop but when.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
You take the ball.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It allows really two phases to start fast at the
same time with the new kickoff rule jug you know,
Miles with the the really nice return there, and then
before you know it, when you get a return like that,
if you can sustain and get that first first down.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Now you at least have the field position on your side.
But obviously the.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
Goals to go in there and get seven points to
start the game and kind of.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Lift the building in.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
A lot of ways where we avoid any sort of
feeling of when you're in the midst of struggle, it's
very easy to let your mind either on the field
or and the bleed in the stands, to let your
mind kind of to wander to hear we go again.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And I just didn't want to.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Allow it and trusted our guys to get off to
the start that they did and then we were able
to sustain for the rest of the day. But I
thought the defensive stop down there in the low red
zone on the fourth down and then to drive it
ninety eight after that, and you know, one of the
longer drives I think of the season in the NFL
was a pretty unique way to start fast. It wasn't
(09:48):
necessarily explosives and throwing the ball over the yard, but
very efficient. I was really proud of the guys the
way we did that.
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Tight ends are pretty active early on that first drive, yep.
Route really intentional or sort of how the defense was just.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
There was parts of the plan where you know, in
many cases we had three of them on the field,
we had two and CJ on the field. We just
wanted to be versatile in how we kind of attacked
on the early downs and try to see if we
can you know, have some early down success running the
football out of those groupings and then pairing that with
some kind of just schematical ways of trying to get
(10:24):
some easy completions and then you know, ultimately then you
still got to execute on third down, which when you know,
we get into those normal eleven groupings or if we're
in twelve, you know, we obviously feel great about those
groupings as well, but just trying to you know, play
in a style where it's easy for our guys. We
we lined up in a lot of different ways, but
(10:45):
yet some some formulas of how we wanted to play
to try to pair some things together both with the
run in the past and our guys handled it really
really well.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
Aj works back started to the left and then works
all the way back to Josh on that touchdown. Is
that kind of an example of playing faster and thinking
through things being able with lessons working faster you've talked about.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Yeah, I just think you know, it's as many times
as he can go to the line of scrimmage and
just totally focus on his job, you know, come off
that kind of quick play action fake and if he's
got you know, his his eligible at the top of
his drop, pull the trigger and throw it be decisive.
But if you don't get drives backside and we taught
(11:25):
main coverage on that and Jail was able to kind
of slip off of block and be uncovered.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
You talk about the decision making as a priority for
the week. How what does your immediate takeaway on on
how he did?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Yeah, it just you know, when when JJ is at
his best, there's conviction. You can feel it in his
his fundamentals and technique pair together because he's got conviction.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
On what he's going to do with the ball.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
And there's still some you know, there's gonna be a
thousand things we'll look at, and you know, foot placement
here and all that stuff, But part of the mentality
of where I want him now after having experience, knowing
what it's felt like in games, know it's what it's
felt like in an NFL pocket. Now after a collection
of playing time and starts to just start applying that
(12:08):
out of all this experience, you can hopefully take from
it that the success comes from the simplicity of making
sure the starting.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Point of doing my job.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I checked that box because it's hard enough to play
if you're then adding variables to the starting point.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Of if they do this, and and and and.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
His mind, he's he's very much a guy that wants
to play the mental game within the snap and sometimes
it can he can simplify it for himself within just
the play that's called and setting his feet and eyes
to number one and then progressing with great fundamentals from there,
and and and being accurate. I thought there were some
really good examples of that today, and now we just
got to build on it.
Speaker 9 (12:47):
Essential was it to have a game like that as
you start having these building lots.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
But he just needed some full attraction.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Yeah, I mean, look, we the I told the players,
you know, as a whole they've heard me talk a
lot this year, and they've heard me talk a lot,
and you know, try to continue to make sure guys
understand that I'm aware one of I do believe I
have a decent amount of awareness to my leadership style
(13:15):
and ability, and I'm first and foremost aware of where
a stretch of games like this can allow anybody to go.
And the noise and the things are absolutely justified. But
when in doubt, we get to work every single week
towards a sixty minute opportunity regardless of anything that's transpired
before or as I told them, anything that will transpire
(13:35):
from here. We get this opportunity to make sure that
we are, you know, proving some growth that through adversity.
I think it's the best grounds to have that growth
growth happen. But you still have to go do it,
and you still have to have a team that stays
together through all of this. And it was good to
win a game. We needed to win a football game,
and the guys came out and did that.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
That nineteenth play drive.
Speaker 8 (13:58):
Just how rewarding event is at.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
The for an offense as sub struggle was the last
two weeks.
Speaker 9 (14:02):
But pretend to put it all together in that.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Yeah, I think it kind of highlighted the possibilities of
I think we were five to five on third down
on the drive. You know, we stayed relatively efficient, even
though maybe we didn't have the.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Explosive the explosive.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Run throughout, we still, you know, we're able to stay efficient,
keep those third down somewhat manageable, make some pretty relatively
routine throwing catches that we're good to see those hit
and stack plays on top of that. It was a
stacking positive play kind of day and just making sure
that it was about what the Minnesota Vikings were doing
well and consistent, which has been a big theme this year.
(14:42):
Whether it's penalties, whether it's turnovers. We just haven't had
enough sustained times. And I think we've had a couple
of home games now where we've been able to get
a pretty significant lead by doing a lot of those things,
especially early on in the game and then allowing the
defense to have some ops at potentially taking way the
football and and and then for this team, when we're
(15:03):
sustaining that and running the football and being good on
third down, we have the ability to eat clock, We
have the ability to protect the football and get points
the majority of the times we touch it.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
What goes through your mind when banking Dove said, again.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Yeah, he's been close on a few. I know you
guys know that he's been close on a few. But
the first thing I always think is, you know, you're
shocked that they threw it to his side, and but
it's part of offense. They're just trying to have answers
for some of the things that we present schematically.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
But it was great to see. It was absolutely great
to see the coach.
Speaker 9 (15:40):
When you when you talk about the growth of JJ
from getting of the season to where he played today
at the phenomenal game, how would you like to see
his growth more and forward toward us thinking about at
the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Yeah, I just I think when you know, when you
have examples of things that that that you hear a
lot throughout the week, you have examples of real examples
out on the grass with those other ten guys in
the huddle and were off on the sideline, And no
matter how much I yap into that headset, it's still
him out there hopefully absorbing the feeling of what winning
(16:14):
football can be for our team. When our quarterback plays
winning football, and that's what he did today, regardless of
statistics or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
He played winning football.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
He protected the ball, he made throws situationally, he made
some chunk throws on some of the early downs, and
even though Washington was kind of live in a world
where they were going to not allow us to potentially
get the ball down the field, we had some ops
if protection allowed, and on a couple of plays we didn't.
You know, maybe we didn't hold up or maybe it
(16:45):
was an NFL pocket that just didn't allow it, and
we not only survived the down.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
He made some plays with his legs.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
He checked the ball down a few times, and the
ball just kept going forward for the most part. So
still gonna be some stuff that will absolutely be coaching,
and he's been and he's been tireless the way he's
worked all year long. But now we have yet another
example of not just a divisional the game in the
opener where we have a divisional comeback late, we go
(17:11):
to Detroit and do a lot of the things we
did today as a football team, and we're able to
win in a very tough place to play.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Now we have this example.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
So if we can keep stacking, not only positive plays
within the games, but stacking the feeling of what winning
football is. I think it can be growth for all
of us as we keep moving forward.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Is there one play today you would highlight to demonstrate
what JJ did well today?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
I think there's really two.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
You know, the last fourth down touchdown to TJ was
you know, they're playing kind of a split safety.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Look.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
Justin Jefferson does an unbelievable job outside releasing on the
cloud corner, which opens up the window for TJ. But
JJ's got to trust that thing and locate that football
accuracy in the low red zone put us in the
end zone right there. Decisive decision kind of the intent
of the play if we've got if we got the
coverage that we did, and then we had some answers
(18:10):
within the play if we didn't, but just decisive and
then I would say, you know, I think back to
I don't remember what the D and D was, but
Jordan Addison on a third down had a you know,
a long completion where JJ, you know, that was not
his first progression. Justin Jefferson got taken away and he
throws a pretty nice leveled kind of drive throw to
(18:30):
the void, and and and realizes that Jordan Addison's gonna
go get that ball for him like he did, which
was a critical play on that. I believe it was
on the ninety eight yard drive do you bout left?
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (18:43):
Yeah, and basically the same one from Chico game that
landed short of Jordan. I know it looked the.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Same, similar, similar, similar route, kind of more of a
more of a drop back, third down kind of concept.
But yes, that's that's a good observation. Similar, similar route
that played out a little bit different coverage with kind
of a zoning defender out in front of Justin on
a on a route and then you got.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
To layer that ball up and over.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
But the layering of the ball, feel in that space,
finding it in rhythm.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Those two plays jump out for sure.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
They touched the first touchdown to Josh.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It's a I mean a first kind of handful of.
Speaker 8 (19:19):
Passes as an example of the simplifying things and.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Can no, I mean, I mean that's a you know,
that's a what I loved about that, and Mark and
I think schematically we can we can spend all afternoon
if you guys want to going through you know the
what we're being, what he's being asked to do on
plays and things like that, but really it's just a
matter of him being decisive. The first completion of the
(19:45):
day to Ben Simms, we're trying to throw the ball
to Justin Jefferson, they took it away. How how clean
can you be with progression football and put it in
play And that was a That was a big play
to get us a new set of downs.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Turn that thing across the fifty and then keep playing.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
But yeah, and then, and what that does when he
does some things earlier, it allows him to be in
a quote unquote decision making rhythm where he can be decisive.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
It's single high.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
We've got a four vertical concept on where you're gonna
have a chance at either one of those tight ends
in a big grouping or you're gonna check the ball down.
And if you do that, that's okay too. But we
just have to be able to call some of those
plays and give him a chance to play quarterback and
then maintain possession of the ball throughout and.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
You're gonna get more ops. We got over sixty.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Plays today, although I think we're probably keeping score. We
had a few kneel downs, so not not a very
accurate portrayal of the total number of plays. So just well,
go ahead, So I tell you how happy he was
for the big dray even though he gets.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
In as many touches that he would like to have. Yeah,
moving forward, how would you how can he get more
balled in the opp Yeah.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
He had a chance for a touchdown there in the
second half and JJ got moved off the spot, but
actually kind of created a play on the sideline to
you know, put an exclamation point on the day and
had a chance there, but JJ had to move off
the spot. But we're going to find ways to get
Justin the ball. He did not play sixty minutes today.
(21:12):
That was a tough conversation. He tried to avoid me
and run out on the field with about seven or
eight minutes left in the game. We were able to
kind of, you know, a collective group effort between myself, Keenan,
and a couple other folks, probably Dave of course our
security guy as well, because Justin did not want to
come out of the game.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Obviously. But if Justin.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
Has demonstrated anything this year, the leadership smile on his
face right now, he wants to win. I think along
the lines of in this day and age where it's
really easy to look at these and say this guy
did this and this guy did that. Justin Jeffers has
been playing at a really high level, and he did
again today. It's not necessarily going to always show up
in the stat sheet, but he means the absolute world
(21:56):
to this organization. And you don't have a performance like
we did today, your leadership, justin being a huge part
of that remains to drive, remains driving the ship forward.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And bring in some teammates along with him.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
All right, Coach talked about JJ McCarthy. We're gonna hear
from me momentarily. But with McCarthy, everything was just quicker today.
Whether it was a close game or not, it was.
It was three five, seven step drop fire and I
started out four for four forty six yards. I touched
down to Oliver, built his confidence. JJ looked good today,
Yeah he did.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
And you know one of the things with McCarthy too,
is just the average distance that he's trying to complete
passes has been around ten yards. It's been it's been
way up there, and so I think they short and
they shortened that for him. They weren't, you know, he
wasn't taking so many shots deep down the field, and
you know, you know, so we saw the rapport with
the tight ends. You know, we're still kind of waiting
(22:52):
on how does Justin Jefferson fit into all of this? Right,
two receptions eleven yards, You've got a shorter, quicker passing game.
How is Justin Jefferson going to fit in all this?
I think that's the next kind of piece of the puzzle,
as long as everything else stays the same, Ye keeps
going in that direction, but much more of a controlled
short passing game today.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Yeah. I was giggling while you were talking because Tatum Everett,
who helps us immensely with this, she was looking at
me giggling because she's seen you and I more so
me after the last four games, just apoplexy, Like now
it's a okay, we're five and eight and not going
to the playoffs, but this sure beats the alternative. Specifically
for those of us who spend a lot of time
(23:33):
around the facility. That would include JJ McCarthy, quarterback for
the Minnesota Vikings, a career best three passing touchdowns today
and his first win at US Bank Stadium. Here's what
Number nine had to say after the.
Speaker 10 (23:45):
Game, obviously, great to get the win here at US
Bank Stadium today, great to get a fast start. I
thought the defense played fantastic. Getting those turnovers really just
does a lot for the entirety of the team and
the momentum for the offense. So I thought we played,
but you know, there's still gonna be a lot of
things we got to clean up, and it's just another
step in the right direction.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
You looked very calm in the pocket. Did you feel
calm in the pockets today?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
For sure?
Speaker 10 (24:09):
Offensive line played fantastic, receivers were getting open. Coach O'Connell
was calling great plays where it was just put it
in play kind of feel to it, and uh yeah,
it was just a very comfy pocket all day.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Did it was different today?
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Maybe in the complete, just all four quarters compared to some.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Of the early games.
Speaker 10 (24:27):
I just feel like we were able to stack positive
plays and you know, execute in all three phases. That's
something you know that's gonna win you a lot of
football games, and we just got to continue to strive
to do that every single week.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
When you guys win there, you get the chance to
tick the ball first.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
How much had you.
Speaker 7 (24:42):
Talked about that throughout the week of if we get
the coin toss, we're gonna go out and try to
set up message.
Speaker 10 (24:47):
Early found out like maybe ten seconds before the coin toss.
But uh, you know, no matter what, we don't let
that dictate you know how We're gonna attack each and
every play. Every time we get the ball, we're expecting
to score. So you know, just gives us you know,
the let's go koh, you know, kind of feel to
it going into the game. But you know, at the
end of the day, it's just all about executing.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
When you get that chance to go out there that quickly,
I guess how much does that kind of instills confidence
in you? Hey, this is a chance to get some momentum,
which we haven't done a lot this year.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
Early it meant a lot because you know, that was
our you know, key pillar to the game was starting fast.
And for coach O'Connell to say, you know, the offense
is going to start it off for us, you know,
it was tremendous honor and you know, I was happy
we were able to go and reassure him that we're
able to do that. And you know, the defense, they
they are just right up there with starting fast and
(25:37):
they had a tremendous game. Obviously, that fourth and one
stop on the goal line is you know, what our
team's all about, what our defense has been all about
all year.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So yeah, it's great for you to stack positive plays.
Like how validating is it?
Speaker 5 (25:49):
Just in terms of the work that you're putting in.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
On a daily basically extremely validating.
Speaker 10 (25:54):
You know a lot of things have to come together
for that to happen, but obviously the biggest role in
that happening is the quarter back and you know, just
to find a rhythm, find a flow. It was a
lot of fun doing that.
Speaker 8 (26:04):
So is there any particular play or decision you made
that still kind of stands on your mind? And you
feel pretty good and devout right now.
Speaker 10 (26:13):
You know, there's a lot that is going through my
head right now in terms of what I need to
do better, what I was you know, happy with, but
at the end of the day, just happy we got
the win and you know we're gonna critique this like
crazy tonight and fix it tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Do you think today was a result of having done
a lot of work on your mechanics or is it
more not thinking about mechanics and just playing.
Speaker 10 (26:35):
In my opinion, I think it was just playing, you know,
just going out there. And you know, the big message
of last night's team meeting was, you know, play for
that sixteen year old self, that sixteen year old version
of yourself. Understand you know what got you into this game,
what made you fall in love with this game, regardless
of the record, regardless of where we are this season.
Just go out there and have fun, play fast, play free.
(26:56):
And I feel like we all did that today. Who
was putting that message out Coach Hawkins. He talked to
the offense on I believe Wednesday or Thursday in the
unit meeting, and then coach O'Connell reiterated it last.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Night, like your sixteen year olds self, I did a.
Speaker 10 (27:11):
Little bit, yeah, with a lot of wisdom that I
picked up, you know from this year and just you know,
all the learning lessons from them. But you know, just
felt like it was a bunch of guys out there
that were having fun and yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
It's good.
Speaker 11 (27:24):
Jonathan Grenard said something interesting. He said that you played
in such a ice way that you can't win back
any of the games that you've lost in terms of
having that short memory, and then to go out there
and do that when you have a defensive guy kind
of notice that change in you and not carrying any
ghosts of past losses forward.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Means everything? You know.
Speaker 10 (27:44):
I have so much respect for that guy, especially just
the tremendous player. He is tremendous leader, the character that
he has, it means the world. But at the end
of the day, it doesn't matter, you know what happened today.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
It's about doing.
Speaker 10 (27:56):
It again and consistently growing and staying on the right
trojeck of being the best version of ourselves. So yeah,
but it means a lot for sure.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
I know you're you're always been confident, but did you
need like some early success today to just kind of
find that rhythm? I mean, knowing how things have gone,
you know in the past.
Speaker 10 (28:14):
Few games, I feel like early late, it doesn't matter
when it happens, it's just got to happen. So being
able to do it when we wanted to start and
fast obviously that carries momentum throughout the game. But you know,
just focusing on that play, one play at a time,
think was the best thing for me today.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
Be reminded that you can play that way.
Speaker 10 (28:35):
I guess, yeah, but I don't know, but would you
ask not like just to be reminded that.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
You yeah, like that.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
Yeah, it's definitely reassuring. I always knew I had that,
and I always knew the potential is there, but you know,
I'm looking at it right now, like there's so many
ways I could get better. There's so I'm so far
from where I want to be. So, you know, it's
just great to get the win. And uh, you know, girl,
in this uh, in this game.
Speaker 7 (28:59):
In terms of working through and being as decisive with
that as you were today, what do you feel like
a difference.
Speaker 10 (29:03):
Was that familiarity with the concepts? You know, this was
a lot of stuff that we worked on in OTA's
in training camp, and you know it was specialty routes
for you know, those specific guys. So I feel like,
you know, with the offensive line, obviously, it all starts
with them playing their ass off today and made everything flow.
Speaker 11 (29:21):
What was it like on the field to throw up
that nineteen play drive and what was the feeling of
walking off.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
After scoring touchdown?
Speaker 10 (29:28):
No idea, it was nineteen plays, but you know here
in twelve minutes here and it was one of the
longest drives and time of possession for that drive in
Viking's history.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
It's awesome.
Speaker 10 (29:38):
But you know, we just can't wait to go do
it again. And the boys were huffing and puffing, but
good thing we were conditioned and uh, you know, prepared
for that moment.
Speaker 5 (29:45):
You finished a lot of runs today by diving forward.
I've heard some quarterbacktually as actually the safer way to
finish a run. Is that intentional or is that just
what was there for you at the moment.
Speaker 10 (29:54):
It's always been intentional. I picked that up from a
coach Harbaugh when I was at Michigan, just understanding gonna
lose yards and you're getting to the ground quicker and
your head's not as exposed, but you always got to
be cautious whether you're you know, sliding feet first or
head first. Those guys are coming to hit you. So
you know there's a time and place for everything.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
But yeah, for.
Speaker 9 (30:12):
Sure, JJ coach talked a lot about getting you comfortable.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
We talked to Justin earlier.
Speaker 9 (30:16):
He said, you know, one of the things is we
can't forget that JJ's a young quarterback's figuring it out.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
How important is it.
Speaker 9 (30:22):
For you to be on the field and getting as
many reps as possible to just get your footing back.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
On the meek extremely important. You know, that's where it's
all about.
Speaker 10 (30:30):
That's how you're gonna grow and get better experiencing the
live bullets. And you know that's something I learned very
early on in my career. The best ability you can
have it is availability, and that goes back to your
question about sliding the right way and when to do that,
when to throw the ball away. So yeah, the more
reps the better, and honestly, just the more reps with
these guys the better because I love playing with them
(30:51):
every single snap.
Speaker 9 (30:52):
Besides getting w's like, how do you for you personally
your own growth development?
Speaker 2 (30:56):
How do you want to close this season? I'm strong?
What is a successful JJ season looks like for you?
Speaker 10 (31:03):
Being disciplined with the football, making the right decisions, winning
football games obviously, but doing all the little things right
day in and day out, building those habits that are
concrete going into the offseason, and continue to go on
that trajectory. But all we care about is the next day,
the next meeting, the next practice, and you know we'll
be in a good spot by the end of it.
Speaker 7 (31:22):
JJ, is there any part of you when it's a
veteran offense like this that says it's important to have
a game like this just to kind of show the
more experienced players around me that I can deliver this
and it doesn't have to be something. But they have
to wait much longer for that to happen.
Speaker 10 (31:36):
That wasn't really a thought going in, but feeling it
afterwards from the guys, it means a lot. And you know,
it's just something that I feel like should have happened
a lot earlier. So you know, I absolutely love those
guys for the grace and patience they've had with me.
But you know, we got to continue to do it again.
You're only successful as your last successful act, and we're
going to get to work, you know, tomorrow, Tuesday or
Wednesday and keep this thing rolling.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
JJ Kevin highlighted the touchdown to TJ.
Speaker 8 (32:04):
What did you see on that one?
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Read two?
Speaker 10 (32:06):
Kind of simple as day coverage. Understanding that Jets on
the fade ball if they were playing any sort of
man got to fit it in there on fourth and one.
It can't be a tipball or anything like that. Had
to move my eyes with Luvu because he's such a
great player in reading eyes and very quick and agile.
But TJ and I talked about it all week. It's
the built in reps throughout the week that made that
play come to life. And he made a tremendous catch
(32:29):
and stayed up two, which was pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
All Right, Sunday Night at Dallas Sunday Night football against
Dak Prescott, Ceedee Lamb and that gang and really just
continuing the positivity and the maturation of JJ McCarthy. That's
still the a topic it is.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
And you know, for for the Cowboys, they're going to
get a look at a kind of a completely different
offense from what we saw in Seattle, but the defense
is really going to get tested. This is a very
good Dallas Cowboys offense. I know Ceee Lamb's been nicked up.
They got some people nicked up.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
We'll see.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
We got some time for them to heal. But this
is this is an offense that it wants to throw
the football. You know, they have a lot of talent
at the wide receiver position. Can we get to Dak
Prescott like we did today against Jade and Daniels. Can
we force him into some bad throws, which I think
we can do so it's gonna be a great test
(33:21):
for the defense and for the offense. Just just Paul,
I guess I can't say this is the first game
at J J. McCarthy hasn't thrown an interception, Yep, right,
I mean, and it's it's no small deal. It's no
small deal at all. The way you know, the having
given being minus fifteen and the take give right worse
than the NFL by three. That is the main culprit
(33:43):
that in penalties things like that, and we fixed almost
all of that today and that was a difference. We
had one one penalty on offense and it killed a drive,
So that you know what I mean. It's like our
margin of error isn't good enough or big enough where
we can go ahead and make those mistakes. We didn't
make those today, and that's why you get a thirty
one to nothing win.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Thirty one zero Vikings. As the analyst just said, make
sure to keep it here at Vikings dot com, not
only four between the lines with Tatum and Ben, but
everything up to the Cowboys gameskull stories, interviews, film breakdowns,
and so much more. Great day today for Minnesota Vikings football.
The fiftieth win at US Bank stadium for Pete VERSAG.
I'm Paul Allen. That's the Vikings postgame report, powered by
(34:28):
Luman
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.