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Minnesota Vikings fans know how important winning the NFC North for the team in 2025. Had they done that in 2024, they would have had a first round bye and been able to rest up before facing off the Washington Commanders instead of being tested right away by the Los Angeles Rams.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton wrote up the biggest x-factors in each NFL division, and for the NFC North, it comes down to a first-time Vikings starter, of course. The biggest x-factor within the division will be first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his health and performance.
Moton writes, "J.J. McCarthy is one of the biggest X-factors across the league. He sat out his rookie season because of a torn meniscus and has the pressure of taking over an offense that ranked ninth in scoring and 12th in total yards last season. . .In his first year as a starter in Minnesota, McCarthy shouldn't have to carry the offense with his arm or try to match what Sam Darnold did with the team in a 2024 Pro Bowl year. McCarthy just needs to avoid egregious mistakes and put the ball in the right spots for his playmakers. If he does that, the Vikings won't see much offensive drop-off from last year and remain in contention for a division title."
We have talked about it all offseason, and there is no first-time starting quarterback coming into a better situation in recent NFL history. Between the offensive line and skill players around him, J.J. McCarthy has what he needs to succeed.
With all the mental reps done for the second-year quarterback, all that is left is for him to put it together on the field.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What is the biggest X-factor facing the entire NFC North in 2025?
Continue reading...
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton wrote up the biggest x-factors in each NFL division, and for the NFC North, it comes down to a first-time Vikings starter, of course. The biggest x-factor within the division will be first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his health and performance.
Moton writes, "J.J. McCarthy is one of the biggest X-factors across the league. He sat out his rookie season because of a torn meniscus and has the pressure of taking over an offense that ranked ninth in scoring and 12th in total yards last season. . .In his first year as a starter in Minnesota, McCarthy shouldn't have to carry the offense with his arm or try to match what Sam Darnold did with the team in a 2024 Pro Bowl year. McCarthy just needs to avoid egregious mistakes and put the ball in the right spots for his playmakers. If he does that, the Vikings won't see much offensive drop-off from last year and remain in contention for a division title."
We have talked about it all offseason, and there is no first-time starting quarterback coming into a better situation in recent NFL history. Between the offensive line and skill players around him, J.J. McCarthy has what he needs to succeed.
With all the mental reps done for the second-year quarterback, all that is left is for him to put it together on the field.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What is the biggest X-factor facing the entire NFC North in 2025?
Continue reading...