Taking Command: McCarthy-Led Vikings Trounce Washington
Vikings Territory Breakdown
Turnabout is fair play. After going two games (23 possessions) without a touchdown, the Vikings took the ball down the field in the opening drive of the game against the Washington Commanders and scored on a bullet from J.J. McCarthy to tight end Josh Oliver (his first of two touchdown receptions on the day). And that was enough to defeat the hapless Commanders (eventually 31-0), who just took another step toward a high pick in next year’s draft.
McCarthy, meanwhile, took some steps in the right direction, himself, playing his best and most complete game as a pro and securing his first win in front of the home crowd thanks to three touchdown passes and no turnovers. He had a lot of help from the offensive line (with the five starters healthy for only the second time this season), leading to good protection in the pocket and open holes for a rushing game that reeled off 163 yards. McCarthy was decisive, poised and efficient, showing the home fans what they had been longing for all season.
But the second-year signal caller also received help from his defense, which delivered a shutout. For the first time in what seems like forever, the Vikings defense grabbed three turnovers (and bested the Commanders 3-0 lead in the give-take metric). The defense played lights-out despite the Commanders’ starting quarterback Jayden Daniels returning from injury (and later leaving the game with an aggravated injury). The defensive performance included two interceptions (Andrew Van Ginkel with a near pick six and Harrison Smith, the 38th in his career) plus a great strip/tackle and fumble recovery by Javon Hargrave. The Vikings played the kind of complementary football fans have been looking for all season.
Of course, it all comes at the too-little-too-late part of the season, but for a team trying to find its identity on offense and some measured success for its young quarterback, it was great to see. And the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast, Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) are here for it all. Tune in and check it out. Skol!
