NFC North 2025

[OldSchool101]

Maybe it is my dislike for the Vikings that taints my view of JJ McCarthy, but I wasn't that impressed with him when he was at Michigan. I know....Tom Brady.

Even if McCarthy goes on to have a decent career, he missed all of last year, his rookie season, after 2 knee surgeries. I just don't think he was ready yet. I would feel a lot different about the "ride or die" with a rookie QB if the Vikings had gone 3-14 last season, but they were a solid 14-3 team. That isn't one that I would want a rookie QB in charge of.

Both Rodgers and Love had a lot of healthy time behind HOF QB's, McCarthy didn't have that benefit.

I still can’t believe MN didn’t resign Sam Darnold for at least a 2yr with 1yr guaranteed. They could’ve still moved on after 2025 and Darnold would’ve been affordable. Particularly had they extended him earlier in the season

I understand moving on to younger talent. Yet they just had a 14 Win season in a tough Division. It’s basically a premature, forced mini rebuild. Let me just say I’m glad Darnold isn’t in Minnesota, so I’m not complaining, I’m jubilant.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I still can’t believe MN didn’t resign Sam Darnold for at least a 2yr with 1yr guaranteed. They could’ve still moved on after 2025 and Darnold would’ve been affordable. Particularly had they extended him earlier in the season

I understand moving on to younger talent. Yet they just had a 14 Win season in a tough Division. It’s basically a premature, forced mini rebuild. Let me just say I’m glad Darnold isn’t in Minnesota, so I’m not complaining, I’m jubilant.

Agree, although maybe they wanted to and Darnold saw a better opportunity/offer elsewhere?

This I am pretty sure of though. Aaron Rodgers wanted to play for the Vikings, and they chose to stick with JJ.

 

[gopkrs]

Agree, although maybe they wanted to and Darnold saw a better opportunity/offer elsewhere?

This I am pretty sure of though. Aaron Rodgers wanted to play for the Vikings, and they chose to stick with JJ.

I'm pretty sure they were planning JJ the whole time. So far they underestimated Darnold and overestimated JJ. But their coach seems to be pretty sharp. Would be really tough on him if he made such a big mistake with both of them staring him in the face imho. So we'll see. It's not easy for a coach to come back from a big QB mistake. Owners nor fans seem to like that too much.

 

[KMILLARD]

I'm pretty sure they were planning JJ the whole time. So far they underestimated Darnold and overestimated JJ. But their coach seems to be pretty sharp. Would be really tough on him if he made such a big mistake with both of them staring him in the face imho. So we'll see. It's not easy for a coach to come back from a big QB mistake. Owners nor fans seem to like that too much.

Well in 20 years of watching the Wilfs as owners, they do not make changes unless there is a major scandal or something wild happening. The front office and Coaches have the best job security in the NFL.

 

[OldSchool101]

once again, I’m not saying JJ is completely helpless. Often QB’s need several seasons and then they get clicking. My contention is you’re in Win Now mode. Plus you own control of JJ for 5 seasons and we’re talking season 2 of 5. In Vikings case they could’ve given JJ another year to acclimate and run it back with known quantity in Sam.
Again I’m very glad MN switched QB’s and the way Detroit throttled the Bears Defense was as much impressive for our Packer Defense. At the same point of the game (3:47-4th) that Detroit scored their 6th TD vs Chicago? they had 0 TD’s in Green Bay.

 

[gopkrs]

Well in 20 years of watching the Wilfs as owners, they do not make changes unless there is a major scandal or something wild happening. The front office and Coaches have the best job security in the NFL.

They have their man then.

 

[milani]

I still can’t believe MN didn’t resign Sam Darnold for at least a 2yr with 1yr guaranteed. They could’ve still moved on after 2025 and Darnold would’ve been affordable. Particularly had they extended him earlier in the season

I understand moving on to younger talent. Yet they just had a 14 Win season in a tough Division. It’s basically a premature, forced mini rebuild. Let me just say I’m glad Darnold isn’t in Minnesota, so I’m not complaining, I’m jubilant.

Like Jerry Jones, it was the right move. Should be a fun season.

 

[El Guapo]

Listening to the radio jocks in Minneapolis, who do get some details from insiders, it sounds like that Sam Darnold playoff game was the kicker. Yes they were happy with his rejuvenation during the regular season but they smelled too much moldy cheese in his playoff collapse that they felt it was better to commit to JJ McCarthy.

Let's also be honest as well, you don't spend a 1st round on a QB to let him sit on the bench for two seasons. When has that ever worked out well for a team? ... oh wait, yeah, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Carson Wentz will be starting for the Vikings on Sunday against the Bengals. If he has a big game and the Vikings get an easy W, this will really make Viking fans talk. It may also keep JJ on the bench "healing", until the next Viking loss or really bad performance by Wentz.

Now if the Vikings offense fails on Sunday and the put up an "L".....talk will be about "When will JJ be ready to play again?"

 

[tynimiller]

Carson Wentz will be starting for the Vikings on Sunday against the Bengals. If he has a big game and the Vikings get an easy W, this will really make Viking fans talk. It may also keep JJ on the bench "healing", until the next Viking loss or really bad performance by Wentz.

Now if the Vikings offense fails on Sunday and the put up an "L".....talk will be about "When will JJ be ready to play again?"

Honestly, I have always liked Carson...I kinda hope he goes out and just torches the Bengals.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Listening to the radio jocks in Minneapolis, who do get some details from insiders, it sounds like that Sam Darnold playoff game was the kicker. Yes they were happy with his rejuvenation during the regular season but they smelled too much moldy cheese in his playoff collapse that they felt it was better to commit to JJ McCarthy.

Let's also be honest as well, you don't spend a 1st round on a QB to let him sit on the bench for two seasons. When has that ever worked out well for a team? ... oh wait, yeah, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

The thing is, this is really McCarthy's rookie season. Yes, this is his second year with the Viking playbook, but with his injury, I doubt he practiced much, if any with the team.

I think it is a smart move to start a 2nd or 3rd year QB, if he is "your guy". However, if you have a 14-3 team and access to more seasoned QB's, I would opt for the more seasoned QB over a guy that has never started an NFL game.

Maybe the Vikings decided this would be a tank season, play JJ as much as possible and pick up a high position in the 2026 draft? Wouldn't be my play, but I also follow a team with an occupied Super Bowl trophy case.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Honestly, I have always liked Carson...I kinda hope he goes out and just torches the Bengals.

I can never cheer for the Vikings to win, but I agree with you on Carson being a decent QB. The "best" outcome, for me, Carson has a great game, but the Viking defense looks like a sieve against Jake Browning and the Bengals offense, Vikings lose 52-35.

The Vikings caught a big break, to not have to face Joe Burrow.

 

[rmontro]

I think it's fine if the Vikings want to move on to JJ McCarthy. They should just temper their expectations for the season. Expecting to move on to an inexperienced quarterback without missing a beat doesn't really make sense.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think it's fine if the Vikings want to move on to JJ McCarthy. They should just temper their expectations for the season. Expecting to move on to an inexperienced quarterback without missing a beat doesn't really make sense.

If I was a Viking fan, I wouldn't agree with you. Had the Vikings finished at 3-14 last season, then I would. This was a solid Viking team, that went 14-3 in 2024, not one I would want a rookie QB running.

 

[OldSchool101]

Honestly, I have always liked Carson...I kinda hope he goes out and just torches the Bengals.

From early on, he often came in relief of an injured player and played really well.

 

[rmontro]

If I was a Viking fan, I wouldn't agree with you. Had the Vikings finished at 3-14 last season, then I would. This was a solid Viking team, that went 14-3 in 2024, not one I would want a rookie QB running.

Well, I really don't care that much what the Vikings do, unless we're playing them. I get their argument though, they don't think Darnell is a reliable playoff quarterback, so they pulled the plug.

 

[milani]

Well, I really don't care that much what the Vikings do, unless we're playing them. I get their argument though, they don't think Darnell is a reliable playoff quarterback, so they pulled the plug.

That is all for Viking fans to decide. Only 2 games into the season. If I were the Vikings I would not make a knee jerk reaction. The Packers went 6-10 the season Rodgers took over for Favre who went 13-3 plus a playoff win in that previous season. And if I recall after years of losing the Vikings gave up on Fran Tarkenton only to sign a washed up QB from Canada named Joe Kapp. Next thing they knew they were in the SB.

 

[DoURant]

It better not be anything long term...

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[gopkrs]

Listening to the radio jocks in Minneapolis, who do get some details from insiders, it sounds like that Sam Darnold playoff game was the kicker. Yes they were happy with his rejuvenation during the regular season but they smelled too much moldy cheese in his playoff collapse that they felt it was better to commit to JJ McCarthy.

Let's also be honest as well, you don't spend a 1st round on a QB to let him sit on the bench for two seasons. When has that ever worked out well for a team? ... oh wait, yeah, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Even though it was a collapse, I'm not certain Darnold alone was to blame. I think the reason was your 2nd paragraph and wanting a few years of not paying a QB full tilt. A gamble. Results aren't in yet.

 

[El Guapo]

Even though it was a collapse, I'm not certain Darnold alone was to blame. I think the reason was your 2nd paragraph and wanting a few years of not paying a QB full tilt. A gamble. Results aren't in yet.

For sure the team is to blame, but Darnold curled up in a ball and sucked his thumb. Jets fans were all too used to that visual.

 

[rmontro]

It better not be anything long term...

You never want to hear the words "knee injury" though.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Oh I agree and kind of disagree. I wouldn't call the Browns, Flacco's current team, a good team/organization.

Oh, I fully agree with that. I'm just saying that at the time that he won the Super Bowl (and the MVP, if i recall correctly) he was a fair-to middling, respectable game-managing QB on a good team. Not a great team, the Crows were 10-6... tied as one of the 2 lowest teams to make the postseason, and 4th seed in the AFC just because they squeaked in as a division winner in a weak grouping.

So I'm saying he's an example of your point that sometimes a decent QB who is a good game manager taking an overall-good team all the way, against all expectations - at that time. I'm not saying anything at all about what he or the Browns might do this year, because I'd be surprised if it amounts to anything.... just talking about what he did in 2012/13 with the Ravens.

Which, damn.... yeah... was impressive. It still galls me that he came out of freaking nowhere to win as many Super Bowls with a good but not great team as both Favre and Rodgers won in their entire careers, with arguably far better teams to work with. It just doesn't feel right.

I think Love would have been in the same boat as both of these guys had he been rushed into service and I think it would have more than likely been the same thing for Rodgers.

Love really didn't look ready at all the first couple of years; I think it would have been a pretty rough first couple of years if we'd lost Rodgers in 21 or even 22.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Honestly, I have always liked Carson...I kinda hope he goes out and just torches the Bengals.

Interesting factoid about Wentz - this weekend he will become the first quarterback in NFL history to start at least 1 game at quarterback for 6 different teams in 6 years.

Regarding McCarthy... I think the Vikings are in a not-so-great position. They really went all in starting in 2023, and the clock is ticking. They're projected at $30-60 million over the cap in 2026, as the contracts start to come due, and I thinkit's questionable whether JJ will be a strong threat to lead the team to a Super Bowl by that time. That knee injury last year cost them a valuable year of development for him, and I think they're behind where they expected to be by now.

 

[pacmaniac]

Too bad he missed the big chance in the 2016/17 Super Bowl when they allowed Brady to have the massive comeback victory to win the trophy.

He didn't have a chance to comeback in that game. The Falcons led all the way until the Patriots tied it up at the end of regulation, and then the Patriots scored a TD on the opening possession of OT. That was back when the rules said if the opening possession was a TD, then the game was over.

 

[El Guapo]

He didn't have a chance to comeback in that game. The Falcons led all the way until the Patriots tied it up at the end of regulation, and then the Patriots scored a TD on the opening possession of OT. That was back when the rules said if the opening possession was a TD, then the game was over.

You can't bury the truth like that!

In the 4th quarter, Matt Ryan's drives went:
PUNT: 3 plays, -15 yards
FUMBLE: 3 plays, -2 yards (sack fumble by Matt Ryan)
PUNT: 6 plays, 45 yards
PUNT: 4 plays, 16 yards

Matt can't cry and say that he didn't get a chance. At least when the Packers punted twice in the 4th quarter of the Ice Bowl, Bart Starr conjured the grit needed to put together a winning drive. That's what champions do. They find a way to win even when things seem most dire.