Vikings' starter reveals his true feelings on quarterback J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy | Lon Horwedel-Imagn ImagesAfter missing five consecutive games with a high-ankle sprain, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy returned to the lineup this past Sunday and helped the Purple & Gold to a 27-24 upset victory over the Detroit Lions, a win they desperately needed to avoid falling too far behind in the NFC playoff race.

Now, did McCarthy play the perfect game of football? No, he certainly didn't, completing just 56 percent of his passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and an interception to earn an average 82.6 passer rating.

But after seven weeks of no actual game action and facing a difficult Detroit defense—on the road, no less—in just…