McCarthy Struggles in Vikings’ 22-6 Defeat to Falcons
MINNEAPOLIS — J.J. McCarthy’s second start as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings was marked by a challenging performance, as the team fell to the Atlanta Falcons 22-6 on September 17, 2023. McCarthy and the Vikings’ offense were unable to capitalize on opportunities, leading to a frustrating outing that raised questions about the team’s overall execution.
McCarthy’s struggles were evident throughout the game. The young quarterback faced significant pressure, enduring six sacks and throwing two interceptions. His off-target rate of 28.6% ranked among the highest in the league for the week, underscoring the need for improvement. Following the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized the importance of better play around McCarthy, stating, “This is going to be a process for our team. Our young quarterback is going to make some plays… and then, other times, he’s going to have an attempt and just miss something a little long.”
Despite showing promise in previous outings, McCarthy’s performance in this game showed the challenges of his development. Over his first two NFL starts, he has completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His Quarterback Rating (QBR) of 20.4 places him at the bottom of the league rankings.
The Vikings’ offensive struggles were compounded by a series of turnovers. McCarthy was involved in five turnovers in total, contributing to a third down conversion rate of just 30.4%, which ranks 29th in the NFL. These issues have limited the Vikings to an average of only 47.5 plays per game, the lowest in the league, hindering McCarthy’s development as a quarterback.
The loss was particularly disappointing considering the Vikings had previously scored 21 points in the fourth quarter of their Week 1 victory against the Chicago Bears. Players in the locker room expressed their confidence in McCarthy despite the setback. Receiver Adam Thielen remarked, “He’s built for this… It’s going to be a process as a team… You just keep going to work and learning from the good things and learning from the bad times.”
Injuries to key players also impacted the Vikings’ performance. Both center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule left the game early due to concussions, forcing McCarthy to operate behind a makeshift offensive line. Despite this, he managed to maintain an average time of 3.35 seconds before throwing, the highest in the NFL for Week 2, indicating his attempts to find opportunities amidst the pressure.
Reflecting on the loss, McCarthy acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “I’ve got a lot to do personally. There’s a lot of things about this game that show up… This is a long season. Everyone is telling me this is a frickin’ journey, and I believe them wholeheartedly.”
As the Vikings move forward, the focus will be on enhancing their overall play and providing McCarthy with the support he needs to thrive. The team remains optimistic, with the understanding that growth will come through continued effort and collaboration as they navigate the challenges of the NFL season.
