MINNEAPOLIS -- There were no fourth-quarter heroics Sunday night for J.J. McCarthy. Instead, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback and the rest of his team's offense slogged through 60 mostly rough minutes in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy's performance clarified a few facts about a team that entered the season with hopes of a deep playoff run. Most notably, players and coaches said afterwards, the play around McCarthy will need to be much better.
"This is going to be a process for our team," coach Kevin O'Connell said.