True, the initial goal post has moved, but there’s three more opportunities this season, as McCarthy pointed out at the end of the above video.

Let’s not forget that when J.J. McCarthy left the field at U.S. Bank Stadium after his final scoring drive against Chicago, the Vikings had the lead. That fact ties into almost every point I will assert here.

After that awful tipped-pass INT, McCarthy didn’t blink. He smiled and laughed. But he didn’t blink. He played a strong game at QB. He made more key throws than he missed. He used his legs well. And he’s learning from Mahomes (hate the injury news on Patrick) that you need to let the officials know when you’ve been hit illegally. McCarthy clearly took a shot to the head. And while he was a runner, QBs are protected when they are giving themselves up, feet- or head-first. When he leaves the field after his final drive, the Vikings typically have the lead.

Special teams. Sigh. When I am in the position to hire someone, I am certainly interested in their best. What’s the best you can do for me? But I am far more interested in what’s the worst you’ll do TO me. The special teams unit has Pro Bowl-worthy candidates. But the gaffes have been extremely egregious. If that sounds redundant, it’s not an accident. That’s how bad the worst has been this year. A fake field goal completely unaccounted for at that position on the field? How can you let that happen? I am not advocating firing anyone on the coaching staff, but the leadership of that unit needs drastic and immediate change. I refer you to my first statement regarding the lead against Chicago at U.S. Bank. Way too many huge mistakes.

I could bemoan the lack of interior pass rush. Again. I could nitpick play-calling. I could call out run defense or offensive third-down inefficiency. But tonight was a win on the road in prime time against an opponent still very much alive for a playoff run at the opening kick. And aside from special teams horrors, I’m not seeing a plethora of patterns in the areas of concern above. Well maybe third downs. But fourth-down perfection helps salve that one this week.

I believe this wholeheartedly. A lot of teams are quite glad they won’t have to face a confident and dialed-in, J.J. McCarthy-led Vikings team. A healthy Vikings team coming into January with a head of steam could have been very dangerous.

— Jeff in Sacramento, California

Nine players 22 or younger since 2000, including McCarthy, have had consecutive games with at least three touchdowns and a passer rating above 100.