Kevin O’Connell Gave the Order. J.J. McCarthy Ignored It.
J.J. McCarthy was told by his head coach not to prematurely celebrate a touchdown on Sunday Night Football. He did it anyway
Between the batted-pass interception, the fancy touchdown run, and a premature Griddy, J.J. McCarthy turned Sunday night in Dallas into a wild snapshot of his flair, confidence, and growing trust from Kevin O’Connell.
McCarthy faked out the whole stadium and all of America down in Texas en route to his team’s 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and he displayed just the right amount of defiance.
J.J. McCarthy Broke the Rule and Hit the Griddy
Going rogue paid off this time.
The McCarthy Rushing TD + Griddy
McCarthy began Sunday night with a tipped-ball interception into the hands of Cowboys newcomer DT Quinnen Williams, and it immediately felt like “one of those nights” in the heart of Texas.
But the young passer refused to let the turnover define him, rebounding right away and later scoring a rushing touchdown that will be shown for years in Vikings highlight reels.
He even hit his pal’s celebration, Justin Jefferson’s Griddy, before he crossed the goal line.
Absolute cinema.
McCarthy Tells All Afterward
After the win, when asked about the premature Griddy, McCarthy said, “I did it in practice, and I was told not to do it. So, just me being who I am, it’s like, ‘Oh, now I’m more enticed to do it.’ But if it’s that open, obviously just get in the end zone no matter what — and be coachable and do what my coach says. So yeah, I’ll definitely get a minus grade for that.”
And even after the successful score and celebration, O’Connell was not thrilled.
He told reporters, “The finish, I would not classify as special. It was entertaining. I guess we are in the entertainment business, but I would’ve preferred him to show that 40 time that he likes to talk about having never run, his 40 coming out of college, which was unique, to say the least.”
“But as a guy who once ran a fast 40 and couldn’t throw it very well, I can probably understand why quarterbacks are choosing to do that these days.”
He Got Away with It
The moral of the story? The fun celebration worked. It just did. McCarthy didn’t drop the ball, nor did a defender blast him.
McCarthy apparently has a defiant streak, and if that means the trait manifests to boost his team’s morale — fans, too — his moment was worth the squeeze.
O’Connell nailed it when he added the caveat about the entertainment business. That is what this is. Fans will now have that McCarthy highlight for years, and hopefully a decade-long quarterback follows.
When your team scores a primetime upset on the road at America’s Team, you can get away with a harmless Griddy, which is also a shoutout to his teammate, Justin Jefferson.
Time for McCarthy to Stack Another Positive Outing
Of course, all of McCarthy’s goodwill would be wiped out if he plays like an idiot next weekend at the New York Giants. Fans may not look back and blast the premature Griddy, but a stinker of a game would call into question McCarthy’s career trajectory.
The man has played wonderfully in back-to-back games. Finally. He must stockpile more growth performances. If he adds some celebratory flair, he can get away with it if his team is winning and he is cooking. Winning cures all.
More on McCarthy’s Night
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis wrote about McCarthy’s evening, “Given the Cowboys’ offensive firepower, the Vikings needed to move the ball. Dallas’ defense was going to provide space as long as the Minnesota offensive line could pass protect. Even without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, the Vikings limited the Cowboys’ pass rush to a measly five pressures.”
“McCarthy did not take a sack. The time in the pocket allowed him to process the defense, which he was able to do more decisively than in his early-season starts. McCarthy also made plays out of the pocket and threw the ball with accuracy. In the first half, he was flushed from the pocket out to his left and connected with receiver Jalen Nailor on a 20-yard touchdown.”
In the last two weeks, McCarthy has ranked as the NFL’s sixth-best quarterback, believe it or not, per EPA+CPOE.
“In the second half, McCarthy applied touch to a crossing route to tight end T.J. Hockenson. There were plenty of ups and downs in between. McCarthy sailed multiple passes in the red zone. He also missed Justin Jefferson on an over route in the third quarter,” Lewis added.
“That McCarthy was able to respond from these misses — and an interception on his first pass attempt of the night, a tipped ball — is part of the reason the optimism has existed even despite his struggles.”
It’s also a bit comical how O’Connell was upset by the Griddy — like a dad upset with his kid for defiance. It happens.
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