J.J. McCarthy, Jalen Nailor put college rivalry aside for game-winning play vs. Lions
J.J. McCarthy found a college rival, Jalen Nailor, for the game-winning throw and catch as the Vikings beat the Lions 27-24 Sunday. As McCarthy returned from injury, Minnesota got back to their winning ways.
McCarthy, who’s in his second season with the Vikings, played at Michigan while his teammate was over in East Lansing playing for the Spartans. Nailor is in his fourth season with the Vikings but made one of the biggest plays of his career: catching a game-winning first down conversion to ice the game in Detroit.
Whatever side of the dividing line between Michigan and Michigan State you fall on, perhaps McCarthy’s throw and Nailor’s catch could be a magical turning point in the year. The NFC North saw a bit of a shakeup Sunday and the Vikings are suddenly a player through eight games.
“I told ‘Speedy’ ever since the beginning of the season that he’s gonna make his mark,” McCarthy said postgame. “Every single day, every single game, he’s always doing the dirty work. He’s always doing everything right. Coach O’Connell gave us that confidence to go convert on that play, I knew it was meant to be, and I knew it was his moment.”
McCarthy finished the game with just 143 yards through the air, but threw two touchdowns and a pick. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Nailor had just one catch Sunday, but his 16-yard reception won the game in the fourth quarter. Victory formation followed.
McCarthy returned to the lineup following his ankle injury. It was good timing too since veteran Carson Wentz was ruled out for the season due to shoulder surgery. Wentz started the previous five games in place of McCarthy, going 2-3.
McCarthy was emotional in his postgame press conference though. He got the win in his return and it was clear his teammate’s reaction in the locker room contributed to a stellar day.
“It was awesome,” McCarthy said after a lengthy pause. “When you’re hurt, being on IR last year and being out for five weeks, it absolutely kills me not being out there with those guys, because I love every single one of them. I know they got my back, and I got theirs the rest of the way.”
McCarthy and the Vikings are back in action at home Sunday, November 9th. They’ll host the Baltimore Ravens at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Commanders' nightmare loss to Seahawks continues to get worse with more unfortunate injury updates
The season is officially over for the Washington Commanders, and the nightmare somehow continues after the worst night in recent memory for this franchise.
The Commanders got blown out at home in primetime during a night that was supposed to be special with the throwback uniforms and Art Monk jersey retirement, but it turned into fans leaving in the middle of the second quarter, and a gruesome injury. You can move on from a loss, but seeing Jayden Daniels go down with a severe elbow injury was gut-wrenching.
Daniels' injury wasn't the only significant injury last night, as the hits continue with two more season-ending injuries
Luke McCaffrey suffers a season-ending injury
The game barely started before the Commanders suffered yet another injury, and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey went down after returning the opening kickoff. He went down awkwardly on his left side, which is now being diagnosed as a broken collarbone that will have him out for the rest of the year.
McCaffrey was starting to really find his role in the offense and special teams, and now his season comes to an end. He was second in the league in kickoff return yards with 769, and also averaged 18.5 yards per catch. The Commanders turned to McCaffrey after injuries to Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, and he was showing a lot of promise with multiple tough catches.
He should be part of the offense next season, but another injury just shows even more how badly this team needs help at the position. The Commanders added Treylon Burks and hope to get a roster win from him, but major changes need to happen with McLaurin and Brown injured, and Deebo Samuel not under contract next season. The defense is another conversation, and they lost another starter for the rest of the season.
Marshon Lattimore is feared to have torn an ACL
The defense was an embarrassment once again, with the Seahawks blowing the team out before halftime, and it never got any better. Busted coverage and wide-open explosive plays were all over the field, and major changes need to happen on and off the field. It got even worse for Marshon Lattimore, who went down with an injury that is feared to be a torn ACL.
There's no easy way to put it, but it was a nightmare night for Lattimore. He played really well last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it's time to admit that this trade was a massive swing and a miss by Adam Peters. It's unfortunate to see the season go down like this for Laittmore in what is very likely his last game with the Commanders. He's under contract for next season as well, but I don't expect him to be here after the defense faces an overhaul this offseason, if not sooner.
Injuries have been the biggest headline of the season with multiple starters suffering long-term injuries, and the roster honestly needs an overhaul as well. It will be a long rest of the season, with a massive offseason coming up.
