Inside The Vikings

J.J. McCarthy rips TD pass, Collinsworth critiques 'bizarre' fundamentals

Cris Collinsworth had some interesting analysis after a great play by McCarthy.
Will Ragatz|
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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J.J. McCarthy made one of the best plays of his young career in the first quarter of Sunday night's game against the Cowboys, then was subject to some interesting analysis from NBC's Cris Collinsworth.

McCarthy's first pass of the night was tipped at the line of scrimmage and picked off. His next four were all complete, for a total of 59 yards. And the fifth was an excellent throw for a 20-yard touchdown to Jalen Nailor while the Vikings' second-year quarterback was rolling out to his left.

Even though Nailor appeared to be covered, McCarthy flipped his hips and ripped the ball to a spot where his receiver would have a chance. Nailor separated while the ball was in the air and made the play for a score.

As the Sunday Night Football broadcast was showing the replay, Collinsworth delivered what could perhaps be described as a backhanded compliment for McCarthy.

"Watch when he releases this ball, how covered Nailor is in the back of the end zone," Collinsworth said. "Come out and around, here comes the play, that is completely covered. And yet he threw it anyway, and was able to make that throw.

"Now watch this release, he is a little bit bizarre on some of his fundamentals of throwing the football. But this guy has the courage of a lion. That thing was covered and he threw it anyway. And I think that's been the difference the last couple weeks with McCarthy. It's like, 'To heck with it. Throw it. Take a shot. Give our great receivers a chance.'"

McCarthy's mechanics have been a topic of conversation all season long when he's been healthy and on the field. They may eventually need to be revamped. But a couple weeks ago, the Vikings basically decided that discussion should wait for the offseason. Leading into last week's game against the Commanders, the directive from Kevin O'Connell to McCarthy was to simply focus on doing his job and making the right decisions. That led to the best game of his career in the win over Washington.

And that momentum has carried over into tonight's game for McCarthy, even after an unfortunate first play.

"You cannot not like him," Collinsworth said when NBC showed a clip of McCarthy high-fiving first responders before the game. "The guy, when he walks in the room, it's like somebody opened the shades and the sunshine came in. And so everybody's cheering for him. We want it to work. We just have to see it work."

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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