The Minnesota Vikings (4-4) pulled off a 27-24 win against the Detroit Lions (5-3) on Sunday, thanks to a solid performance by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. His victory marked a rare achievement: McCarthy became only the third quarterback drafted in the first round to win two divisional road games within his first three career starts, joining Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes.

McCarthy, who had missed five games due to a high-ankle sprain, made his return in Week 9 and didn’t disappoint. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. McCarthy also showed his dual-threat ability with 12 rushing yards on nine carries, including a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. His passer rating for the game was 82.6.

Though McCarthy didn’t put up earth-shattering numbers, he accomplished something no player had done before: recording two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in two of his first three career games. Interestingly, both performances occurred on the road against divisional foes, with identical stats (143 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) and identical 27-24 scorelines.

One standout moment came early in the game, as McCarthy threw both of his touchdown passes on the Vikings’ first two drives, a feat he had never achieved at Michigan. The young quarterback also joined an elite group of Vikings quarterbacks, becoming just the fifth to throw two touchdown passes in the team’s first two drives since 2000. Daunte Culpepper, Brett Favre, Kirk Cousins, and Sam Darnold had all done so in the past.

This win not only ended a two-game losing streak for Minnesota, but it also moved them within 1.5 games of the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers. The Vikings’ success propelled them up in the power rankings heading into Week 10.

McCarthy’s return was a wild ride, full of highs and lows, but he made enough clutch plays to secure the win. While the consistency may still need some work, this performance was what the Vikings had hoped for when they traded up to draft him in 2024. In fact, McCarthy’s performance was the boost the Vikings needed, especially after Carson Wentz had struggled with injury. While McCarthy is still in his first full NFL season, his maturity and growth provide hope for a Minnesota team that still has a chance to compete in the NFC North.

Another key factor in the win was the Vikings’ defense. Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Minnesota stifled Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense, which had been potent in past meetings. The defense’s strong performance was a major reason the Vikings were able to dominate throughout the game.

While McCarthy’s passing yardage still hasn’t surpassed 160 yards in a game after three starts, it’s clear that he’s showing promising signs. It’s just a matter of time before those bigger numbers come.

Despite struggling earlier in the season, the Vikings’ Super Bowl hopes are still alive. With Justin Jefferson leading the offense and McCarthy playing at a high level, the team has a real chance to make a playoff push. The NFC North is more open than expected, and Minnesota, despite some early struggles, is far from out of the race.