EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will finish their sixth straight season without winning a playoff game, eight years removed from their last NFC championship game appearance and almost a half-century since they last made the Super Bowl. Their head start on roster planning for 2026 is going rather well, at least.

Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter has not held back his skepticism around J.J. McCarthy at times this season. And even after the best game of the young quarterback's career on Sunday night, Carter still doesn't sound like a believer.

That didn’t stop quarterback J.J. McCarthy from putting together the best game of his career while leading the Vikings to a 34-26 upset win. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air while adding another touchdown on the ground.

For the first time in his career, McCarthy has put together back-to-back impressive performances. And for the first time all season, the Vikings have won two games in a row. McCarthy threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score, leading the Vikings to a 34-26 upset road win over the Cowboys in primetime.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy defied his head coach's orders when he Griddy'd his way into the end zone in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Minnesota Vikings severely damaged the Dallas Cowboys playoff hopes with a 34-26 win in Arlington on "Sunday Night Football." J.J. McCarthy now has back-to-back games with three total touchdowns,

McCarthy, Minnesota’s 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been a revelation for the Vikings this season. In seven games played thus far, the former Michigan Wolverines star has completed 102-of-182 passes (56.0%) for 1,092 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 29 carries for 139 yards and two rushing TDs.