J.J McCarthy had to learn quickly Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

After veteran Sam Darnold quarterbacked the team on the Vikings’ first offensive series, McCarthy, the rookie out of the University of Michigan, took over and helped produce a 24-23 exhibition victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

On his first drive of the preseason game, he trusted his his arm strength a little too much while under pressure. In theory, McCarthy was trying to hit Trishton Jackson with a throw along the sideline. In practice, McCarthy didn’t get enough on the ball and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones swooped in for the interception.

Asked about McCarthy’s decision postgame, head coach Kevin O’Connell gave an honest assessment.

“It felt like maybe he could have put his foot in the ground and delivered that ball to Trishton a little faster,” O’Connell said. “He chose to move to his right and the ball got undercut.”

Some young players might have gone into a shell after a mistake like that. Not the case with McCarthy. He never lost confidence in himself and ended up completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“Just love seeing him come right back after the interception and still be aggressive,” O’Connell said. “There was a lot of positives with J.J.’s performance tonight and a lot of areas where we’ll be able to hit the ground running when these
guys are back.”

Here’s a breakdown of every completion from McCarthy’s impressive debut:

McCarthy pass short middle to Nailor for 18 yards

This came in the early stages and it showed McCarthy’s ability to navigate the pocket. After sending Johnny Mundt in motion before the snap, and likely assuming at that point that the defense is in zone coverage, McCarthy worked out of the shotgun and immediately started going through his progression. He looked to the right side of the field, saw his first read was covered and quickly moved on. He subtly stepped up in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield and his feet underneath him. As soon as Jalen Nailor flashed across the middle, McCarthy came to balance and ripped a pass past the outstretched arm of a defender.

McCarthy pass short left to Jackson for 24 yards

The first pass attempt from McCarthy after his interception. He sent Trishton Jackson in motion before the snap and watched a defender followed him across the formation. That served as a pretty clear indication that the defense was in man coverage. After taking the snap under center, McCarthy gave a hard play-action fake, then went through his drop with his eyes downfield. Though it was obvious that Jackson was going to break free with a defender in trail position, McCarthy showed patience to let him run into open space. As a defender came free on a blitz, McCarthy stood tall with pressure in his face and led Jackson with a perfectly placed ball that allowed for some yards after the catch.

McCarthy pass short right to Sherfield for 5 yards

This was a simple bubble route from McCarthy to Trent Sherfield. Not much to write home about other than the fact that McCarthy didn’t miss. The throw was on the money and went for a minimal gain.

McCarthy pass deep right to Jackson for 21 yards

A very impressive throw that McCarthy made look routine. It started with another play-action fake with the defense playing in zone coverage. As soon as McCarthy started his progression, he seemed to know that he wanted to go to Jackson on a corner route. He confidently threw the ball to the sideline with touch and dropped it in between a pair of defenders.

McCarthy pass short left to Nwangwu for 4 yards

Just a screen pass from McCarthy to Kene Nwangwu that the defense sniffed out. The best thing McCarthy did was let play develop before dumping it off.

McCarthy pass short right to Nwangwu for 5 yards

A good example of McCarthy simply taking his medicine. He scanned the field and ended up having to buy some extra time when nothing came open. As he rolled to his right, McCarthy spotted Nwangwu underneath, and he hit him for a short gain.

McCarthy pass short right to Muse for 15 yards

This was a third down for McCarthy with the defense showing blitz before the snap. After getting a relatively clean pocket thanks to a solid effort from the offensive line, McCarthy spotted Nick Muse bending across the middle, then he put the ball on him to move the chains.

McCarthy pass deep left to Jackson for 45 yards (TOUCHDOWN)

Many would consider this McCarthy’s best play and for good reason. He took the snap under center, and while he realized that there was single coverage, he showed good discipline to stare down his receiver. Not only did that help McCarthy freeze the defender in the middle of the field, it also gave Jackson enough time to set up his defender on the outside. As soon as that happened, McCarthy effortlessly unleashed a ball deep downfield, and it hit Jackson in stride for a long touchdown.

McCarthy pass short left to Sherfield for 8 yards

A routine throw from McCarthy that displayed the velocity he can generate. He took the snap out of the shotgun, looked to his left, and rifled a ball in to Sherfield near the sideline.

McCarthy pass short left to Jackson for 10 yards

This was a fourth down for McCarthy on what he likely knew was going to be his final possession. He took the snap out of the shotgun, spotted Jackson running open on a slant route, and delivered the ball with pinpoint accuracy to keep things rolling.

McCarthy pass deep right to Sherfield for 33 yards (TOUCHDOWN)

Maybe the easiest throw of the bunch for McCarthy. He once again gave a hard play-action fake that froze a pair of defenders. That sprung Sherfield wide open downfield, and McCarthy was cool, calm and collected, hitting him for a long touchdown.

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