Vikings Coach Sends Clear Message on JJ McCarthy After Loss

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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Amid recent struggles, JJ McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings sought a much-needed win on Sunday against their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. However, Green Bay appeared to be on a mission to keep fighting for the NFC North division title.

The Packers achieved a 23-6 victory in front of their fans at Lambeau Field, behind running back Emmanuel Wilson’s 28 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns, as well as Brandon McManus connecting on his three field goals.

Jordan Love didn't necessarily have his best performance of the season. However, he was still on the winning side. Meanwhile, the Vikings' young quarterback, McCarthy, was 12-of-19 for 87 yards, taking five sacks for a loss of 35 yards and throwing two interceptions.

It led to a third-straight loss for Minnesota, which fell to 4-7 and remains in last place in a division many believed they would fight for this season.

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"It's all about preparation. It's all about going back to work and understanding this is a new week with a tough road ahead of us. We're gonna need to have our quarterback to have the best week of preparation," he said of McCarthy and his team, adding, "Just keep on staying the course."

"We're gonna be a team that needs to just continue to press onward, and execute even better, and do your job even better. That's just where our team is at right now," O'Connell told reporters.

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"I think you can. I do believe that. It does require as a football team not doing things that lose games," head coach Kevin O'Connell also said when asked if he believes he can win with McCarthy as QB.

"It's still definitely a work in progress for sure, but I still believe he's absolutely under control from a play call standpoint," the head coach said, also mentioning there were "little things" that affected McCarthy, like getting tripped up.

“The formula can’t end up being down double digits in the second half. It kinda takes you out of the game that you want to play,” O’Connell said, also calling out key turnovers his team had.

The Vikings will get a chance to snap their three-game losing streak when they take on the Seattle Seahawks, who are currently among the NFC's best teams and contending for the playoffs.

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