Vikings Rise After Defeating Detroit
In an impressive upset victory, the Minnesota Vikings triumphed 27-24 against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, improving their season record to 4-4. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy made significant strides in his career during this game.
Historic Achievement for J.J. McCarthy
At just 22 years old, McCarthy became the third first-round quarterback since 1970 to win two road divisional games within his first three career starts. He joins the ranks of legends like Dan Marino and Patrick Mahomes.
Game Performance Highlights
Returning from a high-ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games, McCarthy completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards. He threw two touchdowns and one interception while also contributing 12 rushing yards, including a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. His passer rating for the game was 82.6.
Unique Milestones
- McCarthy is the first player in league history to achieve at least two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown in two of his first three games.
- Both instances occurred on the road against division rivals, featuring identical stats of 143 passing yards, three total touchdowns, and one interception.
- He accomplished a rare feat by throwing two touchdown passes on the Vikings’ first two drives, a milestone he had never reached during his time at Michigan.
Franchise Records and Standings
With this win, McCarthy became only the fifth Vikings quarterback since 2000 to throw two touchdown passes on the team’s first two drives. The list includes notable names such as Daunte Culpepper, Brett Favre, Kirk Cousins, and Sam Darnold.
The victory also ended Minnesota’s two-game losing streak and a five-game losing run against the Lions. The Vikings are now just 1.5 games behind the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North standings.
Power Rankings Movement
This win has boosted the Vikings’ position in the league’s Power Rankings, resulting in a significant jump of five spots. As they head into Week 10, anticipation is high for their next challenge.
