Inside The Vikings

J.J. McCarthy strolls into the end zone while doing the 'Griddy'

Funny enough, Justin Jefferson started to do the Griddy only to have his would-be touchdown overturned by a penalty just a couple of players before McCarthy scored.
Joe Nelson|
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

If J.J. McCarthy felt like he was in a washing machine during his first six starts, as he told NBC before Sunday night's Vikings-Cowboys game, the door has opened, allowing him to play with a ton of confidence.

His confidence may have reached a season high when he did Justin Jefferson's signature touchdown dance, the "Griddy," as he strolled into the end zone on a naked bootleg that completely fooled the Dallas defense on a 4th-and-goal play from the 1-yard line.

It was McCarthy's third rushing touchdown this season.

McCarthy, after his first pass of the night was deflected and intercepted by a defensive lineman, settled into a groove and started firing darts that were on target all over the field.

He fired a touchdown pass, after rolling to his left, to Jalen Nailor. Then, he fit a ball in a tiny window to Justin Jefferson (that fell incomplete), and hit Jefferson for a touchdown in the back of the end zone that was overturned by an illegal formation penalty.

McCarthy also bought time in the pocket before connecting with Jordan Addison on a deep ball for a 59-yard gain, which set up his 4th-and-1 touchdown run.

At the time this story was published, the Vikings and Cowboys were tied 14-14 midway through the second quarter. McCarthy was 5-of-8 passing for 117 yards with two total touchdowns.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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