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12/07 15:01 CST McCarthy, Vikings rebound with 31-0 win over reeling
Commanders, who lose Daniels to injury again
McCarthy, Vikings rebound with 31-0 win over reeling Commanders, who lose
Daniels to injury again
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Pro Football Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) --- J.J. McCarthy threw a career-high three touchdown passes
in his first turnover-free game, returning from his latest injury absence in
prime form for the Minnesota Vikings in a 31-0 victory on Sunday that sent the
Washington Commanders to their eighth straight loss.
McCarthy went 16 for 23 for 163 yards in his seventh NFL start, after sitting
out last week in Seattle with a concussion while the Vikings were shut out for
the first time in 18 years and dropped their fourth consecutive game with the
offense in disrepair.
McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season after knee surgery and five games
earlier this season with a sprained ankle, targeted his tight ends for all
three scores --- the first two to Josh Oliver and the last one to T.J.
Hockenson.
As smooth as the afternoon went for the Vikings (5-8), the return of the
starting quarterback for the Commanders (3-10) produced nothing positive ---
only pain.
Jayden Daniels, the 2024 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner, was
forced out midway through the third quarter when he was blocked during an
interception return and landed hard on the left elbow he dislocated last month
to require a three-game absence. Daniels missed three games to injury earlier
this season, too.
Marcus Mariota, who is 1-5 as the starter this season, threw an interception
and lost a fumble as the Vikings finally enjoyed a stellar performance from
every position group after stumbling badly through November to fall out of
realistic contention for the playoffs.
McCarthy, who took four sacks and faced plenty of pressure, looked like a
seasoned pro from the start. The Vikings scored on a seven-play, 61-yard drive
from the opening kickoff and then stopped the Commanders on fourth-and-goal
from the 2 when Deebo Samuel stumbled in the back of the end zone and failed to
hang on to the throw from Daniels --- the third straight incompletion.
Then McCarthy directed a 19-play, 98-yard drive that drained 12:01 off the
clock, converting five third downs --- including three with 6 yards or longer
to go.
Jordan Mason capped the possession with a touchdown run, as the Vikings leaned
on him and Aaron Jones to gain 162 yards on 34 rushes.
Injury report Commanders: After Daniels left, 13-year veteran TE Zach Ertz hurt his right knee on a hard and low hit during an incompletion from Mariota. He couldn't put weight on his leg and was taken from the sideline on a cart. Up next The Commanders play at the New York Giants next Sunday afternoon. The Vikings visit the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday night. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL |
