NY Times: Vikings were toast, then McCarthy figured it out

[StickierBuns]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6610932...the-pulse/

"I can’t say enough about McCarthy and, by proxy, Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell. The coach known as a QB whisperer took a broken, rattled McCarthy and turned him into a gritty veteran in one half. McCarthy, 22, led three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, two via pass and one he ran in himself. It was arguably the most impressive performance of the weekend."  - Chris Branch, The Athletic.

[MAD GAINZ]

That first half seemed like KOC was calling the game to protect or "ease" JJ McCarthy in. Bears were ready for it and forced us into way too many 3rd and longs and the protection didn't hold up. Also, Jettas and Thielen had some bad uncharacteristic drops.

Then the second half it seemed like KOC said fuck it, we need to open it up and we did. JJ McCarthy looked more comfortable and he got into a rhythm. The OL found their nasty after getting beat up by Chicago's front 7 in the first half... and JJ McCarthy did what he always does. Win.

BOOM

[StickierBuns]

That first half seemed like KOC was calling the game to protect or "ease" JJ McCarthy in.  Bears were ready for it and forced us into way too many 3rd and longs and the protection didn't hold up.  Also, Jettas and Thielen had some bad uncharacteristic drops.

Then the second half it seemed like KOC said fuck it, we need to open it up and we did.  JJ McCarthy looked more comfortable and he got into a rhythm.  The OL found their nasty after getting beat up by Chicago's front 7 in the first half... and JJ McCarthy did what he always does.  Win.

BOOM

Perfectly said. I think KOC was definitely protecting JJ in that first half in the hostile environment. The D also hadn't dialed into Caleb yet, but once they did in the 2nd half his inaccuracy and mistakes reared their ugly head again. Once you get Williams off of those first 15 scripted plays, the quality dips significantly.

[Montana Tom]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6610932...the-pulse/

"I can’t say enough about McCarthy and, by proxy, Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell. The coach known as a QB whisperer took a broken, rattled McCarthy and turned him into a gritty veteran in one half. McCarthy, 22, led three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, two via pass and one he ran in himself. It was arguably the most impressive performance of the weekend."  - Chris Branch, The Athletic.

For him to comment on how this was arguably the most impressive performance of the weekend...that means he rated it above Josh Allen and the Bills comeback!

[greediron]

That first half seemed like KOC was calling the game to protect or "ease" JJ McCarthy in.  Bears were ready for it and forced us into way too many 3rd and longs and the protection didn't hold up.  Also, Jettas and Thielen had some bad uncharacteristic drops.

Then the second half it seemed like KOC said fuck it, we need to open it up and we did.  JJ McCarthy looked more comfortable and he got into a rhythm.  The OL found their nasty after getting beat up by Chicago's front 7 in the first half... and JJ McCarthy did what he always does.  Win.

BOOM

Jets looked like he wasn't used to JJ's fastball.  AT was drilled from behind and the DB raked the ball out.  Just a good play by the DB.

But you make a good point about easing JJ into it.  I think KOC got too cute trying to throw instead of running the ball those first two drives.