Welcome back to the Vikings Postgame Report presented by Lumen - The trusted network of A.I. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 on Sunday Night Football down in Arlington, TX. Vikings Quarterback J.J. McCarthy got in a groove and finished the game 15-of-24 passing for 250 yards, 2 Passing TD's, a rushing TD, and an INT. Wide Receiver Jordan Addison and Tight End T.J. Hockenson both finished the night with 66 yards receiving, but Wide Receiver Jalen Nailor pocketed both McCarthy passing touchdowns for his first 2 TD game of his career. Running Back Aaron Jones Sr. led the team in rushing with 34 yards on the ground but also added 31 yards through the air. As for the Vikings Defense, they kept Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott uncomfortable all game long. Linebacker Jonathan Greenard recorded a sack, while Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave both combined for a sack in the game. Linebacker Blake Cashman led the team with 11 tackles in the contest. Kicker Will Reichard was clutch once again, finishing 4-of-4 on extra points and 2-of-2 on field goals from 29 and 52 yards respectively. Paul Allen and Pete Bercich breakdown the game, including: J.J. McCarthy taking another step in his maturation, the offensive line playing well tonight, and the Vikings Defense making Dak Prescott uncomfortable all 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.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:19):
Yo, what's going on? It's Pete Bursage with your Shirley,
Paul Allen. The Minnesota Vikings got some big O and
the big D. They scored a bunch of points and
beat the Dallas Cowboys thirty four to twenty six. This
is the postgame report powered by Luman. And they got
a lot of points with McCarthy out playing Dak Prescott.
But really the story of the game, quite honestly, correct
(00:42):
me if I'm wrong, was the Vikings work not only
on defense confusing Dak Prescott basically the entire game.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Their work on third down was as good as we've
seen all season. Yeah, I agree with you on that.
I mean the Dallas Cowboys two to twelve for seventeen percent.
When coming into this game, they were converting at a
forty three almost a forty four percent clip. So they
were eighth and they were sixth in the league. Excuse
me coming in this game on third down and the
(01:09):
Vikings won that matchup. So that forced a lot more
field goals, Paul, and fortunately for the Vikings, a couple
of missed field goals by Dallas Cowboys, and and that's
what brought us out on top and to you again
overcome a minus one I'm gonna take give. I think
that's that's a big, big, big part of it because
we had to play consistently. I think outside of the
(01:29):
beginning of the third quarter, our offense was was consistent
all night.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
So JJ McCarthy finishes fifteen to twenty four, two hundred
and fifty yards, a couple of touchdowns, both went to
Jalen Naylor. That was Jalen's first two touchdown game of
his career. The interception McCarthy threw took place on the
second play of the game. Safety Donovan Wilson tapped the
ball at the line of scrimmage. Gwinnon Williams, a defensive tackle,
picked it off. But outside of that, his passer rating
(01:55):
was one oh eight. McCarthy took another positive step.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah he did, and that's this is the first time
I think his passer rating at the end of a
game's been north of north of one hundred. Right, So too,
you know, two passing touchdowns and then delivering a beautiful
naked right to get out and wide open them. Then
he have f CJ. Ham On on a shock play
that on that none of us were expecting. So overall,
I think he missed Justin Jefferson a couple times. One
(02:19):
on a play he was targeted, two on a play
he was targeted, one on a play where he wasn't targeted.
So again that that you know, Jefferson with twenty two
yards receiving. I think that relationship is still building and
still gelling. But to be able to win while that's
happening is a good thing. And then you know, now
it's two in a row for the Vikings, and offensively
we're starting to settle into a groove.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
And McCarthy had a fifty eight yard completion to Jordan Addison.
That was big, twenty nine yard completion to TJ. Hockinson.
In fact, the way he's utilizing these tight ends in
the shutout of the Commanders, Josh Oliver had two touchdowns,
Hawkinson had one, and even though the Titans didn't have
any touchdowns to night Pete very eight in the game
when the Vikings needed to chew clock and get first downs,
(03:03):
he hit Josh Olive for eighteen. Then he hit TJ.
Hockinson for eighteen. That's the cold blood, it's done kind
of stuff. And only his eight start that McCarthy starting to.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Do yeah, and I think it goes back to his
decision making just cleaner, when to when to pull it
down and run and went on to and before we
get any further, I gotta you gotta give a tip
of the cap to this offensive line, especially Ryan Kelly
and a couple of short yardage runs, he totally took
Kenny Clark out of the picture. I mean just pushed
him five yards back. So justin school, we didn't mention
(03:35):
his name all night, I think maybe one time. So
he had an entire game that left tackle, he did
a good job. And then Blake Blake Brandle finished in
the game at right tackle as Brian One went out
with an ankle. So that offensive line tonight, Paul did
a fantastic job. Overall. We didn't get to one hundred
yards rushing, right, but we got someone we needed it right,
(03:56):
We got the we got the sixteen yard run out
of Aaron Jones went we needed it, so it was
timely and and and yeah, that group I think deserves
a little bit of love.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell following
a victory on Sunday Night football against the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Proud of our team.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
You know, first time all year we've been able to
stack a couple of wins together. We knew it would
be very, very difficult, hard place to come in and play,
super talented team. And all the respect in the world
to Shady and his coaching staff. I thought all three
phases played a big role in helping us win the game. Obviously,
a big a goal was to start fast.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
We did not do that.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
They in fact did an unbelievable response by our team.
I thought the effort all night long. I thought the physicality.
We knew it would be a tough front to run
the ball against, but we you know, wanted to continue
to sustain it, knowing that it could help us potentially
develop some explosives in our past game which were big
to have tonight. You know, don't know the exact account
(05:02):
in the past game, but I just thought there was
examples of what our offense can be like when we
have balance, even when there's at times tough sledding in
the run game.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I just thought there were some big plays.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
There were some big plays situationally in the football game,
and the response from our quarterback was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
On the road Sunday night football.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
First attempt gets bad at and intercepted, and you know,
he responded. I think he went eight of his next
ten after that for you know, one hundred and forty
two yards and a touchdown, and just felt confident. He felt,
you know, just simply still doing his job, throwing some
checkdowns here or there, and then when the big.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Plays were there, he made the plays. For the most part.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
There's still a couple, you know, things that throws that
maybe he'd like to have back, but when you're making
good decisions, you get your ops, and you know, just
proud of our group. How about our specialists, Andrew depaula
one hundred and fiftieth game, Will Rekert and Ryan Wright
huge for us again, including that last field goal, Ryan
pinning him deep, you know, flipping the field and giving
(06:05):
us some momentum when we didn't necessarily have it early
on in the football game.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So proud of our team, proud of the fight.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
We're just gonna keep putting everything we got into every week,
and we got the right guys in that locker room
and and I'm just proud of this organization with what
we were able to do tonight.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Updating you on some injuries.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Jalen Naylor did return kind of had a uh, you know,
a low back there when he caught the touchdown, but
did return and and got a game ball for it
as well for his troubles uh Hardgrave. Uh, we're calling
it a thigh injury. We're gonna need the MRI.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
MRI I that see see where he's at.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Brian O'Neil foot he'll have an MRI, but have not
gotten much more of an update on that.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
And then Jonathan Garnard.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Did aggravate his shoulder a little bit there, so we'll
obviously need to uh, we'll obviously need to take a
look at him.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
And then Zay Rodgers with the elbow late.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
That's uh that that was That was that, But proud
of our team, like I said, And back to where
we go.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Right, Just what did you think of the pass protection tonight?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yeah, I'm glad you said that, Alec, you know, because
to not give up a sack against that front when
you know, over the course of our time here, interior
uh you know, interior fronts and and they've got guy
after guy after guy and uh, you know, some really
good players on the edge as well. For justin school
to step in the way he did for that interior three.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
To battle all night long. The way they did.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
There was a lot of one on one situations within
some of those downs, and then Brian O'Neills is Brian O'Neill,
and Blake stepped in there at the end and at
right tackle, so he's, uh, you know, on his way
to completing the Bengo card.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
But yeah, just give him all game balls, all.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Those guys and was an absolute, absolute grind up there
against that front and the way this defense is played,
specifically since getting Q for us to be able to
put together their game like that, still only fifty one plays,
but our average per play was really helped by those explosives.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Why do you think JJ has Letten so composed the
last couple of weeks.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Well, you know, I don't know what the count is,
but I believe he's still in his single digits and starts.
You guys can correct me on that. So we're building
up to, you know, a little bit more experience, a
little bit more time on task, a little bit more
understanding of what the play in the quarterback position at
the NFL level is. It's a decision maker position. With
(08:32):
his ability to throw the football from an arm strength standpoint,
He's going to have a chance to touch every blade
of grass and allow us to be explosive. And then
I think he's made some big time throws and some
big moments. I thought the seamball to TJ was a
spectacular throw. I thought there was other the throw to
Jaylen Naylor really on the fourth down and the touchdown,
(08:54):
you know, moving to his left flip and his hips
and making that throw. So he's got a ton of ability.
It's just continuing to make sure each snap in this league,
you have to have the ability to play each snap
as its own and and trust in the guys in
the huddle and trust in your ability to just put
the ball in play and good things will happen. And
(09:15):
I think he hopefully learned a lesson tonight of we
can be explosive and have some opportunities as the game
goes on by just continuing to throw completions.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
We touched on it, but how these.
Speaker 6 (09:26):
Last three games that could you to build them in
the fourth and with him.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
At yeah, I just we want to play well. There's
been too many instances this year where even you know,
maybe where there's some low hanging fruit. From a standpoint
of finding excuses, our guys don't do that, and I
needed to continue to try to find pass to help
this team win, and doing the things.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
That lose games was happening far too often.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
We still didn't win the turnover battle tonight, but to
have an early turnover on the second play like that
and then play that kind of offense for the next
forty nine snaps with no turnovers and be explosive is
a great response by our group. And then I just
think the complimentary nature of having your specialists playing at
a really, really high level and the defense being really good.
Although they move the ball tonight at Dak Prescott's phenomenal
(10:17):
and that's a great offense, and Shotty does a great job,
but we were able to be really good on the
weighty downs, red zone, third down and eventually get off
the field and limit the damage and then allow our
offense to go.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Try to capture the the lead back.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
So we just wanted to win back to back for
the first time this season. We wanted to, you know,
put everything we had into this one. And now the
players will get a couple of days and we'll go
right back to work and try to do it again
next week.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
You kind of touch on it, but he throws interception
on that first pass and is able to kind of
bounce back. Just what does that say about his resiliency
that it didn't snow long?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Yeah, you know, it's not a surprise to me just
because of just because of who he is, and even
even you know, we've had some Monday mornings, Uh, you know,
there's been there's been some tough Monday mornings early on
for any young quarterback in the league, and he's always
showed up the same guy. He's always showed up ready
to go back to work, ready to be coached, ready
(11:13):
to continue to pour into this lead. You know, with
all the traits and on and off the field, he
has to do that, and the guys respond to him.
Even sometimes when it's not going well, there's still growth happening.
We just got to, you know, try to find a
way during that growth period which we've been in, to
stack positive plays, throw completions, and see if we can
(11:34):
get some more ops to possibly develop some of those
explosives that help our offense go, especially on a night
like this.
Speaker 8 (11:41):
Anything special he did on the big handoff and then
the rollout.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
On the touchdown run.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
I would say the finish I would not classify as special.
It was entertaining. That's I guess we are in the
entertainment business. But I would have preferred him to show
that that forty time that he likes to talk about
having never run a forty coming.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Out, which was unique to say the least.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
But as a guy who once ran a fast forty
and couldn't throw it very well, I can probably understand
why quarterbacks are choosing.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
To do that these days. But yeah, I thought the cell.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
I thought the moment, that the action, all those things,
and you know, even I knew the play and I
knew what was happening, and the action was so good
I you know, I even had to take a double
take right there.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And it's awesome moment in the game.
Speaker 8 (12:28):
Kevin, you mentioned the TJ seamball.
Speaker 5 (12:31):
What about that one?
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Like?
Speaker 5 (12:33):
Did you like the most?
Speaker 4 (12:34):
Yeah, we're in big grouping twenty two twenty two CJS
on the field. We're kind of using airon to motion
out to a receiver and form a totally four by
one open formation. Had a little bit of a thought
that we'd probably get some split safety zone and we
did Justin Jefferson's on one of the benders, and you know,
his job on that play is to do exactly what
(12:56):
he did on a night where you know, we're trying
to we're trying to get Justin going a little bit,
and there was some opportunities for him. Didn't necessarily cash
in on a lot of those, but even on that play,
the discipline to kind of feel his read out in
a coverage.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Read and find uh, find.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Uh the exact right place to go with the football
and then be surgical with that throw and turn it
loose with that kind of revolutions and RPMs to give
TJ a runners ball down the field.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think it was a twenty nine yard game.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
It was a big time on the Galen's first touchdown,
it looked like Bland was right there.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, it was that basically an example of an NFL.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Open, Yeah, because you know it was a full kind
of full scale cell front side and uh, you know
got you know, we got behind him. But then he's
a really really good player, so he you know, tries
to shave that angle back and speedy flattened off. They
actually completed a very similar look in practice, got a
great look out of our out of our look team
and and same same kind of throw, same kind of
(13:52):
throw and catch. I think he was moving to his right,
so that was really one of the first times that
action moving to his left and and what a throw.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
And I thought the play before, you.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Know, was was critical as well, when we you know,
kind of simulated something that we had done before and
get Aaron in space. It had been kind of tough
sledding early on in the game. I don't even know
if that play was logged as a run or a pass,
but you know, the execution TJ blocking out in front
and Aaron's finished, plus the penalty put us right.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
I think at the twenty yard line.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
What will you tell JJ about that first and play?
How should you manage that situation with safety?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Yeah, they're bringing somebody off the slot. They were in
a big grouping, you know, you know it's gonna be
five to one on ones potentially plus that, and I
got to do a better.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Job preparing him.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
You know, I got a that's on me totally, and
he's going he's doing the right thing, he's replacing the pressure.
He's you know, I think Justin was was doing his job.
He knows he's got to, you know, be available if
we get pressure right there, and you know, it's just
one of those plays where defender right in your face
no matter what. And then when the ball does get
tipped up in the air of that ball, if you
(14:56):
do get your hands on it, that ball's got to
go to the ground. And I think he was trying
to do that. But you know, somehow, somehow I ended
up being a catastrophic play. But I think what's significant
about that is I'm sure there was some you know,
I'm sure there was some o here we go agains,
maybe in front of some TV sets or even out
of an unbelievable showing here in Dallas. I mean, there
was a lot of purple in the house. You could
(15:18):
feel them, you can hear them from very early on
in the game. So compliments the Vikings fans for showing
up for us in a big moment for our team.
But not one player felt like that, not one coach,
not one person on our sidelines, despite talking a lot
about continuing to start fast and just a response of
our team.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
I think we've been.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
Hardened by, you know, the journey of this year, the
bumps in the road. But I told them, you know,
days and weeks ago. There ain't no exit rams here.
So we're just going to keep on grinding and learning
a lot about each other. And it works both ways,
players and coaches. We're learning about each other, but we're
learning most importantly that we can sustain through some adversity
(15:57):
and still persevere to win football games because it's gonna
come in handy continuing to build that within our organization,
and these are very very important moments when, uh, you know,
it could it could go one of two ways, and
I'm really proud of the way it's going.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Kevin, you mentioned Dak in that offense.
Speaker 8 (16:15):
Just what did you think of the way you guys
try to make him think kind of throughout.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
The Yeah, it was that chess match.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
You know, they're you know, we're all up or we're
we're coming, We're not coming. He's seen it all, he's experienced,
he's very smart. I love watching him play, just the
way he's in total command. But there was some back
and forth there between him and Harry and and kind
of what we were doing, what are they doing? And uh,
you know, all we're trying to do is to continue
(16:41):
to apply pressure because this is an offense where if
you just let him play, uh you know, kind of
stress free all night long, they can they can put
up a lot of yards in a hurry. And they
still made plays. But it's attrition throughout the throughout the
game and the way flows continuing to press and and
and and get people up around line of scrimmage and
try to take things away. They made some good adjustments
(17:03):
and then and then I thought our guys did as well,
and we were able to get enough stops there to
give ourselves a chance to counteract that with scoring some
points and winning.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
I was just gonna.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Yeah, I mean, uh, compliments to them, especially with where
it was at in the game. You're thinking, hey, defense responded,
got that stop the worst it's gonna be as three
and uh, you know, they they executed that really well.
They they really did, So you got to compliment them.
And kind of goes into the response of our team
because you can you can really see that going a
(17:41):
couple of ways there early on in the game, and
the grit and and just the determination to just go
play and compete.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
And and then I.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Thought we made some plays there to kind of kickstart
and and.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Some of the some of the situational plays.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
I don't think we were great on third down, but
there were some four downs to be had and I
wanted to be aggressive and helped us win the game.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
So that's the first two game winning streak all season
for the six win Vikings. They're at the Giants next game.
That'll be the final road game, then the Detroit Lions
Christmas Day are at US Bank Stadium, and the Green
Bay Packers are the final game this season and in
a non playoff season. The a topic, correct me if
I'm wrong, is the maturation and improvement of JJ McCarthy. Absolutely,
(18:25):
And also, you know you've heard me say it before
and we saw it a lot with the Commanders. Human
nature gets to win two. So therefore, when you know
you're not going to the playoffs, there are some teams,
see the Commanders who just I don't want to say
they didn't offer full throttle effort, but when we watched
it back, it was pretty shoddy. That's not the case
with these Minnesota Vikings. They've tried hard every second of
(18:46):
basically every game.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Yeah, and that's something that you have to watch closely.
You know, this time of year, they're still out there
playing hard, playing together. I think really the the defense
put together a beautiful game plan. Yeah, they gave up
a lot of yards, they gave up, you know, but
they again they tightened it up when they needed to offensively,
(19:08):
outside of the interception and maybe the beginning of the
third quarter. Uh, special teams, you know, you get a
fake run on you, a couple of big returns. But
I think they answered the bell, especially at the end
of the game with the on sides kick, you know, recovery.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah. So, Josh Oliver, that group, you.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Know, all three phases had a lot, had a lot
of a good And I bring all that in just
to just to highlight your point, Paul, the entire team.
It's not just we have one phase of the game
that's outperforming in the other two or lagging. I think
all three phases are you know, tonight played pretty well
and that speaks to me as a team that still
cares and they still want to go out and they
(19:44):
still want to win.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
And Will Reiker, second year kicker from Alabama against Brandon Aubrey,
third year kicker from Notre Dame. I mean Aubrey has
six makes in his career from sixty and beyond. I mean,
you hear people talk about him, it's like a cross
between Ray Guy, Tom Dempsey and Mark Moseley and like
he never misses. Well, he missed twice tonight for the
first time since the end of his rookie year. Reikered
(20:06):
when they needed to take eight and make it eleven.
He nailed it. And that I mean Will reikerd and
Ryan Wright by the way, with two fantastic punts inside
the twenty Andrew Depaula playing in his one hundred and
fifty ath the game. Matt Daniel's Special Teams group, you know,
has taken some consternation during the course of the year,
especially when Devin DuVernay you know, did his best to
(20:28):
ruin the season at us Bank Stadium. But overall they
bounced back pretty nicely.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Yeah they did.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And you know, you faced another one of the better
returners in the league in Turpin today, you know, Cavante Turpin,
and so I think they overall, you know, did a
pretty good job. So it's it's it's a whole team
effort and they all should be very proud. And and
you know, it's not easy to come down here in
Dallas and on a team that up until I believe
(20:56):
to like earlier today was in this thing. Yeah right,
It's it's not like they've been out for weeks at
a time. Now you've got the number one offense in
the league, so they've got some firepower. And you know,
great job on Ceedee Lamb, even better job against George Pickens,
right to take him out of the game. Yeah, and
Prescott had to target nine different receivers, so I think
(21:19):
the Vikings game plan did a great job in kind
of not just confusing him and not letting him feel comfortable.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
End of the equation. The Dallas Cowboys wanted little to
do with the NFC North. They'll finish three in one.
They tied the Green Bay Packers, who were losers earlier
today against the Denver Broncos. Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings
quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Speaker 9 (21:40):
Obviously great to stat two wins together, especially do it
on Sunday night in this atmosphere. Tremendous play from the
offensive line to night. Can't thank them enough, can't give
enough credit to them. The receivers they were getting open
all night, catching everything, running backs. Taking care of the
football was the most important thing tonight, and I feel
like we did that as an offense, but it makes
it really when the defense plays the way they do
(22:01):
and apply that pressure as well as you know that
bend don't break mentality. But you know, I have to
say this to leave off the special teams unit. They've
been tremendous all year and it's just an example of
consistency throughout our team that is, you know, very inspiring
to me in our offense.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
So I'll open up to any questions. Did you what
was your favorite throw of the night.
Speaker 9 (22:26):
I think it's probably the seamball to TJ coming out,
you know as a tight cover two coverage kind of
pseudo quarters, but you know, just playing on time, in rhythm,
trusting what I see, being decisive and you know, seeing
the ball come out exactly the way I wanted to
that was pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
But you know, he made a tremendous catch.
Speaker 9 (22:44):
Like if you ask him, and you know, we'll have
him walk you through what that ball was looking like
in those lights, it's pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Pretty cool. So did you ask him and he walked
you through it?
Speaker 6 (22:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (22:55):
Yeah, he told me on the sideline for sure. Yeah,
it's just flickering lights and then he's like, oh there.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
So you first have an anler.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Uh, you know from our prospective we didn't look very old.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
But why did you think that was a good past
and throw first the first one?
Speaker 9 (23:12):
Yeah, I just feel like, you know, it's shown up
so many times on tape where those corners off keepers,
you know, after hard run action they pop really early
because we got great guys, very twitchy, explosive, and I
saw him get the edge, so I just have to
put it to the spot and let his greatness show up,
and it did.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Once again. What's the key to good fake? And like,
how did you get that much safe? Ab talks about
it as a guitar fake.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
You really just want to show ball, hide ball, show
hand with no ball and uh, you know the offensive
line they've been doing great all night of just you know,
kind of applying that pressure inside and they're super aggressive defense,
So it was an ideal time to run a great
call by Kale.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
You talk about stack in a couple of months to go.
How important is it these next three games? So to
continue to try to build that momentum for yourself and
this team extremely important.
Speaker 9 (23:58):
You know, we're only as successful as our last successful act,
and our next act is coming in on Monday. Or
Wednesday or whatever it is, and getting better working on
you know, all the mistakes that we made in this
game tonight. You know, give a little pat on the
back for the good things, but we're always focused on
that next thing and how to get better.
Speaker 10 (24:17):
She does that the touchdown you scores at the plans
celebration or does that just come to you in the moment.
Speaker 9 (24:21):
Or I did it in practice and I was told
not to do it, so just me, you know, being
who I am, it's like, oh no, I'm more enticed
to do it. But if it's that open, obviously, just
getting the end zone no matter what, and be coachable
and do what my coach says.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
So yeah, I'll definitely get a minus for that one.
You're okay with that?
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Yes? And no? Yes? I know.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (24:44):
Did you how did you bounce back after that first
bro gets tipped in the air and like, how did
you kind of show the resiliency like to not let
a snowball?
Speaker 9 (24:52):
I think going through this whole year, gaining the perspective
that those things are gonna happen, Like this is National
Football League. They're gonna make plays, there's gonna be tip balls.
You can't let that affect to the next coming place,
and you know, just being in those situations a lot
in my past, you know, it's a great way to
just kind of be like, oh, I've been here before,
moving on to the next play.
Speaker 5 (25:12):
And focus on that. The ball down, yeah, I tried to.
Speaker 9 (25:16):
I didn't really catch it at the right point, so
it went like forward and set it down, But yeah,
got to work on that.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
The seven has always been sort of built on chunk
plays in the pass a game, and you obviously had
a bunch tonight. Has that been sort of a process
of just feeling comfortable with those types of passes at
this level for you?
Speaker 3 (25:35):
For sure?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
I think that plays a role.
Speaker 9 (25:36):
But you know, when the offensive line plays as well
as they did tonight, when they played as well as
they did last week, it makes it very easy for me.
And you know, the guys are always going to get open,
so it's just a matter of me putting the right
spot and having the time allowed to put in the
right spot. So you know, everything goes hand in hand
and I feel like we're very in sync as a
whole tonight.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
From the back shoulder for the nail at.
Speaker 9 (25:59):
Me personally, it was something that was difficult because you know,
I was a big fastball guy, but you know, working
constantly and obsessively, I'm being a thrower of the football,
passer of the football. That was just another one of
those opportunities where he put it up, just like in
Detroit when he ran, you know, the little rail from
three spot.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
Just give him a.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
Chance, you know, to catch the ball and he's going
to do it back shoulder speedy.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
That's who he is, So just put it up for him.
Speaker 8 (26:23):
We talked to Ryan Kelly just about how much I mean,
he's enjoyed being back and being a part of it.
Just how much is his presence being in their mid
for you and some of the recent performance you.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Feel like it's amazing.
Speaker 9 (26:35):
You know, there's nothing better than scoring a touchdown And
the first guy that I hear is Ryan Kelly saying,
I love you, bro, You're an animal.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
All that stuff.
Speaker 9 (26:43):
But yeah, he just brings this veteran presence kind of
something similar to what I talked about earlier this week.
But you know, we go as they go, and they
go as he goes. So just having a guy like
that in that role is extremely, extremely a blessing for sure.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
What do you think has allowed you to put through
all the adversity you've faced this year and not let
it break you.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
I love what I do like I love playing ball.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
I realize how blessed I am to be in this position,
and most importantly, I love the people I do it with.
You know, it can get very loud and very noisy,
and you know there's a lot of situations that I
going through in my past to kind of minimize those things,
and the number one thing.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
That does that is just love what you're doing right
in front of you.
Speaker 9 (27:27):
Love who you're around, because that's what matters, you know,
in the grand scheme of things, and focus on that
growth each and every day.
Speaker 7 (27:32):
Is there any point in the past few months say
you didn't feel that that love for.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
What you're doing.
Speaker 9 (27:38):
I wouldn't say that, no, because I love the journey.
I love the ups and downs, I love the pain,
I love the heartache. You know, that's a part of growing,
that's a part of life. And you know, I think
football is just a great microcosm for those lessons and
you know, strengthening your resiliency, patients all that stuff.
Speaker 6 (27:53):
So as will snig went any frustration that you and
ject Jefferson just haven't had that connection yet.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
Obviously it's frustrating, but we have ultimate faith. You know,
he's the greatest in the world, and I know every
single time I put that ball up there's a great
chance he's coming down with it. So it's just you know,
the reps, the experience constantly, you know, continuing to go
through these concepts with that timing, with that rhythm, and
we'll be in a great spot.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
But he's I know, he's going to continue to work.
Speaker 9 (28:20):
I'm going to continue to work, and you know that's
a recipe for something good happened in the future.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
So start number nine in JJ's ever developing career is
next game against the New York Giants, final road game,
and Pete, Ben and I will be there to call
it for you on FM one hundred point three KFAM
and the Minnesota Vikings Audio Network. Keep it here at
Vikings dot com for between the lines and all of
the preview stuff Vikings dot com does up to the
(28:45):
Giants game, the final road game of the season for
Pete versus I'm Paul Allen. The Minnesota Vikings have won
two in a row for the first time this year.
Came down to Dallas, had some big O and the
Big D and a wonderful defense on third down. They
beat the Cowboys by eight. Thank you very much for listening.
Yo, what's going on? It's Pete Bursage with your Shirley,
Paul Allen. The Minnesota Vikings got some big O and
the big D. They scored a bunch of points and
beat the Dallas Cowboys thirty four to twenty six. This
is the postgame report powered by Luman. And they got
a lot of points with McCarthy out playing Dak Prescott.
But really the story of the game, quite honestly, correct
(00:42):
me if I'm wrong, was the Vikings work not only
on defense confusing Dak Prescott basically the entire game.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Their work on third down was as good as we've
seen all season. Yeah, I agree with you on that.
I mean the Dallas Cowboys two to twelve for seventeen percent.
When coming into this game, they were converting at a
forty three almost a forty four percent clip. So they
were eighth and they were sixth in the league. Excuse
me coming in this game on third down and the
(01:09):
Vikings won that matchup. So that forced a lot more
field goals, Paul, and fortunately for the Vikings, a couple
of missed field goals by Dallas Cowboys, and and that's
what brought us out on top and to you again
overcome a minus one I'm gonna take give. I think
that's that's a big, big, big part of it because
we had to play consistently. I think outside of the
(01:29):
beginning of the third quarter, our offense was was consistent
all night.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
So JJ McCarthy finishes fifteen to twenty four, two hundred
and fifty yards, a couple of touchdowns, both went to
Jalen Naylor. That was Jalen's first two touchdown game of
his career. The interception McCarthy threw took place on the
second play of the game. Safety Donovan Wilson tapped the
ball at the line of scrimmage. Gwinnon Williams, a defensive tackle,
picked it off. But outside of that, his passer rating
(01:55):
was one oh eight. McCarthy took another positive step.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah he did, and that's this is the first time
I think his passer rating at the end of a
game's been north of north of one hundred. Right, So too,
you know, two passing touchdowns and then delivering a beautiful
naked right to get out and wide open them. Then
he have f CJ. Ham On on a shock play
that on that none of us were expecting. So overall,
I think he missed Justin Jefferson a couple times. One
(02:19):
on a play he was targeted, two on a play
he was targeted, one on a play where he wasn't targeted.
So again that that you know, Jefferson with twenty two
yards receiving. I think that relationship is still building and
still gelling. But to be able to win while that's
happening is a good thing. And then you know, now
it's two in a row for the Vikings, and offensively
we're starting to settle into a groove.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
And McCarthy had a fifty eight yard completion to Jordan Addison.
That was big, twenty nine yard completion to TJ. Hockinson.
In fact, the way he's utilizing these tight ends in
the shutout of the Commanders, Josh Oliver had two touchdowns,
Hawkinson had one, and even though the Titans didn't have
any touchdowns to night Pete very eight in the game
when the Vikings needed to chew clock and get first downs,
(03:03):
he hit Josh Olive for eighteen. Then he hit TJ.
Hockinson for eighteen. That's the cold blood, it's done kind
of stuff. And only his eight start that McCarthy starting to.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Do yeah, and I think it goes back to his
decision making just cleaner, when to when to pull it
down and run and went on to and before we
get any further, I gotta you gotta give a tip
of the cap to this offensive line, especially Ryan Kelly
and a couple of short yardage runs, he totally took
Kenny Clark out of the picture. I mean just pushed
him five yards back. So justin school, we didn't mention
(03:35):
his name all night, I think maybe one time. So
he had an entire game that left tackle, he did
a good job. And then Blake Blake Brandle finished in
the game at right tackle as Brian One went out
with an ankle. So that offensive line tonight, Paul did
a fantastic job. Overall. We didn't get to one hundred
yards rushing, right, but we got someone we needed it right,
(03:56):
We got the we got the sixteen yard run out
of Aaron Jones went we needed it, so it was
timely and and and yeah, that group I think deserves
a little bit of love.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell following
a victory on Sunday Night football against the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Proud of our team.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
You know, first time all year we've been able to
stack a couple of wins together. We knew it would
be very, very difficult, hard place to come in and play,
super talented team. And all the respect in the world
to Shady and his coaching staff. I thought all three
phases played a big role in helping us win the game. Obviously,
a big a goal was to start fast.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
We did not do that.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
They in fact did an unbelievable response by our team.
I thought the effort all night long. I thought the physicality.
We knew it would be a tough front to run
the ball against, but we you know, wanted to continue
to sustain it, knowing that it could help us potentially
develop some explosives in our past game which were big
to have tonight. You know, don't know the exact account
(05:02):
in the past game, but I just thought there was
examples of what our offense can be like when we
have balance, even when there's at times tough sledding in
the run game.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I just thought there were some big plays.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
There were some big plays situationally in the football game,
and the response from our quarterback was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
On the road Sunday night football.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
First attempt gets bad at and intercepted, and you know,
he responded. I think he went eight of his next
ten after that for you know, one hundred and forty
two yards and a touchdown, and just felt confident. He felt,
you know, just simply still doing his job, throwing some
checkdowns here or there, and then when the big.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Plays were there, he made the plays. For the most part.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
There's still a couple, you know, things that throws that
maybe he'd like to have back, but when you're making
good decisions, you get your ops, and you know, just
proud of our group. How about our specialists, Andrew depaula
one hundred and fiftieth game, Will Rekert and Ryan Wright
huge for us again, including that last field goal, Ryan
pinning him deep, you know, flipping the field and giving
(06:05):
us some momentum when we didn't necessarily have it early
on in the football game.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So proud of our team, proud of the fight.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
We're just gonna keep putting everything we got into every week,
and we got the right guys in that locker room
and and I'm just proud of this organization with what
we were able to do tonight.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Updating you on some injuries.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Jalen Naylor did return kind of had a uh, you know,
a low back there when he caught the touchdown, but
did return and and got a game ball for it
as well for his troubles uh Hardgrave. Uh, we're calling
it a thigh injury. We're gonna need the MRI.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
MRI I that see see where he's at.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Brian O'Neil foot he'll have an MRI, but have not
gotten much more of an update on that.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
And then Jonathan Garnard.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Did aggravate his shoulder a little bit there, so we'll
obviously need to uh, we'll obviously need to take a
look at him.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
And then Zay Rodgers with the elbow late.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
That's uh that that was That was that, But proud
of our team, like I said, And back to where
we go.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Right, Just what did you think of the pass protection tonight?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yeah, I'm glad you said that, Alec, you know, because
to not give up a sack against that front when
you know, over the course of our time here, interior
uh you know, interior fronts and and they've got guy
after guy after guy and uh, you know, some really
good players on the edge as well. For justin school
to step in the way he did for that interior three.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
To battle all night long. The way they did.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
There was a lot of one on one situations within
some of those downs, and then Brian O'Neills is Brian O'Neill,
and Blake stepped in there at the end and at
right tackle, so he's, uh, you know, on his way
to completing the Bengo card.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
But yeah, just give him all game balls, all.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Those guys and was an absolute, absolute grind up there
against that front and the way this defense is played,
specifically since getting Q for us to be able to
put together their game like that, still only fifty one plays,
but our average per play was really helped by those explosives.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Why do you think JJ has Letten so composed the
last couple of weeks.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Well, you know, I don't know what the count is,
but I believe he's still in his single digits and starts.
You guys can correct me on that. So we're building
up to, you know, a little bit more experience, a
little bit more time on task, a little bit more
understanding of what the play in the quarterback position at
the NFL level is. It's a decision maker position. With
(08:32):
his ability to throw the football from an arm strength standpoint,
He's going to have a chance to touch every blade
of grass and allow us to be explosive. And then
I think he's made some big time throws and some
big moments. I thought the seamball to TJ was a
spectacular throw. I thought there was other the throw to
Jaylen Naylor really on the fourth down and the touchdown,
(08:54):
you know, moving to his left flip and his hips
and making that throw. So he's got a ton of ability.
It's just continuing to make sure each snap in this league,
you have to have the ability to play each snap
as its own and and trust in the guys in
the huddle and trust in your ability to just put
the ball in play and good things will happen. And
(09:15):
I think he hopefully learned a lesson tonight of we
can be explosive and have some opportunities as the game
goes on by just continuing to throw completions.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
We touched on it, but how these.
Speaker 6 (09:26):
Last three games that could you to build them in
the fourth and with him.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
At yeah, I just we want to play well. There's
been too many instances this year where even you know,
maybe where there's some low hanging fruit. From a standpoint
of finding excuses, our guys don't do that, and I
needed to continue to try to find pass to help
this team win, and doing the things.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
That lose games was happening far too often.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
We still didn't win the turnover battle tonight, but to
have an early turnover on the second play like that
and then play that kind of offense for the next
forty nine snaps with no turnovers and be explosive is
a great response by our group. And then I just
think the complimentary nature of having your specialists playing at
a really, really high level and the defense being really good.
Although they move the ball tonight at Dak Prescott's phenomenal
(10:17):
and that's a great offense, and Shotty does a great job,
but we were able to be really good on the
weighty downs, red zone, third down and eventually get off
the field and limit the damage and then allow our
offense to go.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Try to capture the the lead back.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
So we just wanted to win back to back for
the first time this season. We wanted to, you know,
put everything we had into this one. And now the
players will get a couple of days and we'll go
right back to work and try to do it again
next week.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
You kind of touch on it, but he throws interception
on that first pass and is able to kind of
bounce back. Just what does that say about his resiliency
that it didn't snow long?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Yeah, you know, it's not a surprise to me just
because of just because of who he is, and even
even you know, we've had some Monday mornings, Uh, you know,
there's been there's been some tough Monday mornings early on
for any young quarterback in the league, and he's always
showed up the same guy. He's always showed up ready
to go back to work, ready to be coached, ready
(11:13):
to continue to pour into this lead. You know, with
all the traits and on and off the field, he
has to do that, and the guys respond to him.
Even sometimes when it's not going well, there's still growth happening.
We just got to, you know, try to find a
way during that growth period which we've been in, to
stack positive plays, throw completions, and see if we can
(11:34):
get some more ops to possibly develop some of those
explosives that help our offense go, especially on a night
like this.
Speaker 8 (11:41):
Anything special he did on the big handoff and then
the rollout.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
On the touchdown run.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
I would say the finish I would not classify as special.
It was entertaining. That's I guess we are in the
entertainment business. But I would have preferred him to show
that that forty time that he likes to talk about
having never run a forty coming.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Out, which was unique to say the least.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
But as a guy who once ran a fast forty
and couldn't throw it very well, I can probably understand
why quarterbacks are choosing.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
To do that these days. But yeah, I thought the cell.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
I thought the moment, that the action, all those things,
and you know, even I knew the play and I
knew what was happening, and the action was so good
I you know, I even had to take a double
take right there.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And it's awesome moment in the game.
Speaker 8 (12:28):
Kevin, you mentioned the TJ seamball.
Speaker 5 (12:31):
What about that one?
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Like?
Speaker 5 (12:33):
Did you like the most?
Speaker 4 (12:34):
Yeah, we're in big grouping twenty two twenty two CJS
on the field. We're kind of using airon to motion
out to a receiver and form a totally four by
one open formation. Had a little bit of a thought
that we'd probably get some split safety zone and we
did Justin Jefferson's on one of the benders, and you know,
his job on that play is to do exactly what
(12:56):
he did on a night where you know, we're trying
to we're trying to get Justin going a little bit,
and there was some opportunities for him. Didn't necessarily cash
in on a lot of those, but even on that play,
the discipline to kind of feel his read out in
a coverage.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Read and find uh, find.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Uh the exact right place to go with the football
and then be surgical with that throw and turn it
loose with that kind of revolutions and RPMs to give
TJ a runners ball down the field.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think it was a twenty nine yard game.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
It was a big time on the Galen's first touchdown,
it looked like Bland was right there.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, it was that basically an example of an NFL.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Open, Yeah, because you know it was a full kind
of full scale cell front side and uh, you know
got you know, we got behind him. But then he's
a really really good player, so he you know, tries
to shave that angle back and speedy flattened off. They
actually completed a very similar look in practice, got a
great look out of our out of our look team
and and same same kind of throw, same kind of
(13:52):
throw and catch. I think he was moving to his right,
so that was really one of the first times that
action moving to his left and and what a throw.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
And I thought the play before, you.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Know, was was critical as well, when we you know,
kind of simulated something that we had done before and
get Aaron in space. It had been kind of tough
sledding early on in the game. I don't even know
if that play was logged as a run or a pass,
but you know, the execution TJ blocking out in front
and Aaron's finished, plus the penalty put us right.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
I think at the twenty yard line.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
What will you tell JJ about that first and play?
How should you manage that situation with safety?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Yeah, they're bringing somebody off the slot. They were in
a big grouping, you know, you know it's gonna be
five to one on ones potentially plus that, and I
got to do a better.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Job preparing him.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
You know, I got a that's on me totally, and
he's going he's doing the right thing, he's replacing the pressure.
He's you know, I think Justin was was doing his job.
He knows he's got to, you know, be available if
we get pressure right there, and you know, it's just
one of those plays where defender right in your face
no matter what. And then when the ball does get
tipped up in the air of that ball, if you
(14:56):
do get your hands on it, that ball's got to
go to the ground. And I think he was trying
to do that. But you know, somehow, somehow I ended
up being a catastrophic play. But I think what's significant
about that is I'm sure there was some you know,
I'm sure there was some o here we go agains,
maybe in front of some TV sets or even out
of an unbelievable showing here in Dallas. I mean, there
was a lot of purple in the house. You could
(15:18):
feel them, you can hear them from very early on
in the game. So compliments the Vikings fans for showing
up for us in a big moment for our team.
But not one player felt like that, not one coach,
not one person on our sidelines, despite talking a lot
about continuing to start fast and just a response of
our team.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
I think we've been.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
Hardened by, you know, the journey of this year, the
bumps in the road. But I told them, you know,
days and weeks ago. There ain't no exit rams here.
So we're just going to keep on grinding and learning
a lot about each other. And it works both ways,
players and coaches. We're learning about each other, but we're
learning most importantly that we can sustain through some adversity
(15:57):
and still persevere to win football games because it's gonna
come in handy continuing to build that within our organization,
and these are very very important moments when, uh, you know,
it could it could go one of two ways, and
I'm really proud of the way it's going.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Kevin, you mentioned Dak in that offense.
Speaker 8 (16:15):
Just what did you think of the way you guys
try to make him think kind of throughout.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
The Yeah, it was that chess match.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
You know, they're you know, we're all up or we're
we're coming, We're not coming. He's seen it all, he's experienced,
he's very smart. I love watching him play, just the
way he's in total command. But there was some back
and forth there between him and Harry and and kind
of what we were doing, what are they doing? And uh,
you know, all we're trying to do is to continue
(16:41):
to apply pressure because this is an offense where if
you just let him play, uh you know, kind of
stress free all night long, they can they can put
up a lot of yards in a hurry. And they
still made plays. But it's attrition throughout the throughout the
game and the way flows continuing to press and and
and and get people up around line of scrimmage and
try to take things away. They made some good adjustments
(17:03):
and then and then I thought our guys did as well,
and we were able to get enough stops there to
give ourselves a chance to counteract that with scoring some
points and winning.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
I was just gonna.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Yeah, I mean, uh, compliments to them, especially with where
it was at in the game. You're thinking, hey, defense responded,
got that stop the worst it's gonna be as three
and uh, you know, they they executed that really well.
They they really did, So you got to compliment them.
And kind of goes into the response of our team
because you can you can really see that going a
(17:41):
couple of ways there early on in the game, and
the grit and and just the determination to just go
play and compete.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
And and then I.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Thought we made some plays there to kind of kickstart
and and.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Some of the some of the situational plays.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
I don't think we were great on third down, but
there were some four downs to be had and I
wanted to be aggressive and helped us win the game.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
So that's the first two game winning streak all season
for the six win Vikings. They're at the Giants next game.
That'll be the final road game, then the Detroit Lions
Christmas Day are at US Bank Stadium, and the Green
Bay Packers are the final game this season and in
a non playoff season. The a topic, correct me if
I'm wrong, is the maturation and improvement of JJ McCarthy. Absolutely,
(18:25):
And also, you know you've heard me say it before
and we saw it a lot with the Commanders. Human
nature gets to win two. So therefore, when you know
you're not going to the playoffs, there are some teams,
see the Commanders who just I don't want to say
they didn't offer full throttle effort, but when we watched
it back, it was pretty shoddy. That's not the case
with these Minnesota Vikings. They've tried hard every second of
(18:46):
basically every game.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Yeah, and that's something that you have to watch closely.
You know, this time of year, they're still out there
playing hard, playing together. I think really the the defense
put together a beautiful game plan. Yeah, they gave up
a lot of yards, they gave up, you know, but
they again they tightened it up when they needed to offensively,
(19:08):
outside of the interception and maybe the beginning of the
third quarter. Uh, special teams, you know, you get a
fake run on you, a couple of big returns. But
I think they answered the bell, especially at the end
of the game with the on sides kick, you know, recovery.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah. So, Josh Oliver, that group, you.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Know, all three phases had a lot, had a lot
of a good And I bring all that in just
to just to highlight your point, Paul, the entire team.
It's not just we have one phase of the game
that's outperforming in the other two or lagging. I think
all three phases are you know, tonight played pretty well
and that speaks to me as a team that still
cares and they still want to go out and they
(19:44):
still want to win.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
And Will Reiker, second year kicker from Alabama against Brandon Aubrey,
third year kicker from Notre Dame. I mean Aubrey has
six makes in his career from sixty and beyond. I mean,
you hear people talk about him, it's like a cross
between Ray Guy, Tom Dempsey and Mark Moseley and like
he never misses. Well, he missed twice tonight for the
first time since the end of his rookie year. Reikered
(20:06):
when they needed to take eight and make it eleven.
He nailed it. And that I mean Will reikerd and
Ryan Wright by the way, with two fantastic punts inside
the twenty Andrew Depaula playing in his one hundred and
fifty ath the game. Matt Daniel's Special Teams group, you know,
has taken some consternation during the course of the year,
especially when Devin DuVernay you know, did his best to
(20:28):
ruin the season at us Bank Stadium. But overall they
bounced back pretty nicely.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Yeah they did.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And you know, you faced another one of the better
returners in the league in Turpin today, you know, Cavante Turpin,
and so I think they overall, you know, did a
pretty good job. So it's it's it's a whole team
effort and they all should be very proud. And and
you know, it's not easy to come down here in
Dallas and on a team that up until I believe
(20:56):
to like earlier today was in this thing. Yeah right,
It's it's not like they've been out for weeks at
a time. Now you've got the number one offense in
the league, so they've got some firepower. And you know,
great job on Ceedee Lamb, even better job against George Pickens,
right to take him out of the game. Yeah, and
Prescott had to target nine different receivers, so I think
(21:19):
the Vikings game plan did a great job in kind
of not just confusing him and not letting him feel comfortable.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
End of the equation. The Dallas Cowboys wanted little to
do with the NFC North. They'll finish three in one.
They tied the Green Bay Packers, who were losers earlier
today against the Denver Broncos. Let's hear from Minnesota Vikings
quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Speaker 9 (21:40):
Obviously great to stat two wins together, especially do it
on Sunday night in this atmosphere. Tremendous play from the
offensive line to night. Can't thank them enough, can't give
enough credit to them. The receivers they were getting open
all night, catching everything, running backs. Taking care of the
football was the most important thing tonight, and I feel
like we did that as an offense, but it makes
it really when the defense plays the way they do
(22:01):
and apply that pressure as well as you know that
bend don't break mentality. But you know, I have to
say this to leave off the special teams unit. They've
been tremendous all year and it's just an example of
consistency throughout our team that is, you know, very inspiring
to me in our offense.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
So I'll open up to any questions. Did you what
was your favorite throw of the night.
Speaker 9 (22:26):
I think it's probably the seamball to TJ coming out,
you know as a tight cover two coverage kind of
pseudo quarters, but you know, just playing on time, in rhythm,
trusting what I see, being decisive and you know, seeing
the ball come out exactly the way I wanted to
that was pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
But you know, he made a tremendous catch.
Speaker 9 (22:44):
Like if you ask him, and you know, we'll have
him walk you through what that ball was looking like
in those lights, it's pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Pretty cool. So did you ask him and he walked
you through it?
Speaker 6 (22:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (22:55):
Yeah, he told me on the sideline for sure. Yeah,
it's just flickering lights and then he's like, oh there.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
So you first have an anler.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Uh, you know from our prospective we didn't look very old.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
But why did you think that was a good past
and throw first the first one?
Speaker 9 (23:12):
Yeah, I just feel like, you know, it's shown up
so many times on tape where those corners off keepers,
you know, after hard run action they pop really early
because we got great guys, very twitchy, explosive, and I
saw him get the edge, so I just have to
put it to the spot and let his greatness show up,
and it did.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Once again. What's the key to good fake? And like,
how did you get that much safe? Ab talks about
it as a guitar fake.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
You really just want to show ball, hide ball, show
hand with no ball and uh, you know the offensive
line they've been doing great all night of just you know,
kind of applying that pressure inside and they're super aggressive defense,
So it was an ideal time to run a great
call by Kale.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
You talk about stack in a couple of months to go.
How important is it these next three games? So to
continue to try to build that momentum for yourself and
this team extremely important.
Speaker 9 (23:58):
You know, we're only as successful as our last successful act,
and our next act is coming in on Monday. Or
Wednesday or whatever it is, and getting better working on
you know, all the mistakes that we made in this
game tonight. You know, give a little pat on the
back for the good things, but we're always focused on
that next thing and how to get better.
Speaker 10 (24:17):
She does that the touchdown you scores at the plans
celebration or does that just come to you in the moment.
Speaker 9 (24:21):
Or I did it in practice and I was told
not to do it, so just me, you know, being
who I am, it's like, oh no, I'm more enticed
to do it. But if it's that open, obviously, just
getting the end zone no matter what, and be coachable
and do what my coach says.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
So yeah, I'll definitely get a minus for that one.
You're okay with that?
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Yes? And no? Yes? I know.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (24:44):
Did you how did you bounce back after that first
bro gets tipped in the air and like, how did
you kind of show the resiliency like to not let
a snowball?
Speaker 9 (24:52):
I think going through this whole year, gaining the perspective
that those things are gonna happen, Like this is National
Football League. They're gonna make plays, there's gonna be tip balls.
You can't let that affect to the next coming place,
and you know, just being in those situations a lot
in my past, you know, it's a great way to
just kind of be like, oh, I've been here before,
moving on to the next play.
Speaker 5 (25:12):
And focus on that. The ball down, yeah, I tried to.
Speaker 9 (25:16):
I didn't really catch it at the right point, so
it went like forward and set it down, But yeah,
got to work on that.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
The seven has always been sort of built on chunk
plays in the pass a game, and you obviously had
a bunch tonight. Has that been sort of a process
of just feeling comfortable with those types of passes at
this level for you?
Speaker 3 (25:35):
For sure?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
I think that plays a role.
Speaker 9 (25:36):
But you know, when the offensive line plays as well
as they did tonight, when they played as well as
they did last week, it makes it very easy for me.
And you know, the guys are always going to get open,
so it's just a matter of me putting the right
spot and having the time allowed to put in the
right spot. So you know, everything goes hand in hand
and I feel like we're very in sync as a
whole tonight.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
From the back shoulder for the nail at.
Speaker 9 (25:59):
Me personally, it was something that was difficult because you know,
I was a big fastball guy, but you know, working
constantly and obsessively, I'm being a thrower of the football,
passer of the football. That was just another one of
those opportunities where he put it up, just like in
Detroit when he ran, you know, the little rail from
three spot.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
Just give him a.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
Chance, you know, to catch the ball and he's going
to do it back shoulder speedy.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
That's who he is, So just put it up for him.
Speaker 8 (26:23):
We talked to Ryan Kelly just about how much I mean,
he's enjoyed being back and being a part of it.
Just how much is his presence being in their mid
for you and some of the recent performance you.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Feel like it's amazing.
Speaker 9 (26:35):
You know, there's nothing better than scoring a touchdown And
the first guy that I hear is Ryan Kelly saying,
I love you, bro, You're an animal.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
All that stuff.
Speaker 9 (26:43):
But yeah, he just brings this veteran presence kind of
something similar to what I talked about earlier this week.
But you know, we go as they go, and they
go as he goes. So just having a guy like
that in that role is extremely, extremely a blessing for sure.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
What do you think has allowed you to put through
all the adversity you've faced this year and not let
it break you.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
I love what I do like I love playing ball.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
I realize how blessed I am to be in this position,
and most importantly, I love the people I do it with.
You know, it can get very loud and very noisy,
and you know there's a lot of situations that I
going through in my past to kind of minimize those things,
and the number one thing.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
That does that is just love what you're doing right
in front of you.
Speaker 9 (27:27):
Love who you're around, because that's what matters, you know,
in the grand scheme of things, and focus on that
growth each and every day.
Speaker 7 (27:32):
Is there any point in the past few months say
you didn't feel that that love for.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
What you're doing.
Speaker 9 (27:38):
I wouldn't say that, no, because I love the journey.
I love the ups and downs, I love the pain,
I love the heartache. You know, that's a part of growing,
that's a part of life. And you know, I think
football is just a great microcosm for those lessons and
you know, strengthening your resiliency, patients all that stuff.
Speaker 6 (27:53):
So as will snig went any frustration that you and
ject Jefferson just haven't had that connection yet.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
Obviously it's frustrating, but we have ultimate faith. You know,
he's the greatest in the world, and I know every
single time I put that ball up there's a great
chance he's coming down with it. So it's just you know,
the reps, the experience constantly, you know, continuing to go
through these concepts with that timing, with that rhythm, and
we'll be in a great spot.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
But he's I know, he's going to continue to work.
Speaker 9 (28:20):
I'm going to continue to work, and you know that's
a recipe for something good happened in the future.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
So start number nine in JJ's ever developing career is
next game against the New York Giants, final road game,
and Pete, Ben and I will be there to call
it for you on FM one hundred point three KFAM
and the Minnesota Vikings Audio Network. Keep it here at
Vikings dot com for between the lines and all of
the preview stuff Vikings dot com does up to the
(28:45):
Giants game, the final road game of the season for
Pete versus I'm Paul Allen. The Minnesota Vikings have won
two in a row for the first time this year.
Came down to Dallas, had some big O and the
Big D and a wonderful defense on third down. They
beat the Cowboys by eight. Thank you very much for listening.
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