After missing several weeks with an ankle injury and not looking great for most of his first two NFL starts, J.J. McCarthy was a wild unknown heading into Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. While he was not flawless and he didn't light up the box score, he was effective enough (14-for-25 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown) to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a win.
McCarthy did what he had to do when he threw the ball. He targeted Justin Jefferson a team-high nine times, as the Vikings' No. 1 wide receiver finished with six catches for 47 yards and a first-quarter touchdown.