Carson Wentz was sharp Sunday in leading the Minnesota Vikings to a lopsided win at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Wentz was 14 of 20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 rout of Cincinnati. He looked comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, avoided mistakes, withstood pressure and played more like the guy who finished third in the NFL MVP voting in 2017 than a journeyman making a start with his sixth team in six seasons.
With J.J. McCarthy sidelined by an ankle injury, Wentz had an opportunity to live out a childhood dream of playing for his favorite team. He made the most of it, posting a 129.8 passer rating — the second-highest of his career.
It's also not too early to say the Vikings brass might have a decision to make when McCarthy is healthy again. In fact, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell addressed that scenario at his Monday press conference.
"It's one of those things where it's, hey, the day he's healthy and if he's healthy the night before a game we're gonna just throw him out there and say, 'hey, you know, go figure it out,' type of thing," said O'Connell. "I think we saw, as phenomenal as he was, getting prepared for the Atlanta game, he did miss practice that week and when you're in the phasing of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can't cut corners on that."
That missed practice time came for a very good reason. McCarthy's fiance gave birth to the couple's first child. But it also points out the razor-thin line there is for a young NFL quarterback trying to figure out playing in the league.
Wentz might be starting for his sixth team in six years, but he's played enough that he knows what to expect.
O'Connell also said they know this isn't a question they need to answer immediately. Even if McCarthy is cleared to practice this week, there's no doubt Wentz is starting against Pittsburgh Sunday in Ireland, the first of two straight international games for the Vikings.
"I think our goal was to win a football game yesterday," said O'Connell. "We're in the day after, that we've had our players in we're preparing for another top-tier opponent. And I think we've got to have another really good week of preparation and then you add on the layers to travel, and making sure our players have the utmost confidence in how we're handling the trip and building it progressively throughout the week until we get another opportunity which we're really excited about."
Sunday's win was really built on the back of a smothering, overwhelming defense that outscored the Bengals 14-10 just by themselves, and forced five turnovers. But credit goes to Wentz for being solid and not making mistakes.
Wentz connected with Justin Jefferson five times for 75 yards and tossed TD passes of 12 yards to Josh Oliver and 5 yards to T.J. Hockenson. He didn’t try to play hero ball, which has plagued him at times during his career.
“I don’t want to be the one making plays. I just want to get it to those playmakers,” Wentz said. “That’s always been my philosophy. We’ve got some good ones here, and that’s been fun, seeing them work and practice.
“It’s only been a (few) weeks, obviously, but seeing it live in a game like today. ... It’s fun for me to see that because my job is just 1-2-3, throw it and let them do the hard work. It’s fun to see that and see those guys come to life like that.”
The Vikings (2-1) are playing their next two games abroad, facing Pittsburgh in the first regular-season NFL game in Dublin next Sunday and Cleveland in London on Oct. 5.
If McCarthy isn’t ready to go, Wentz will get another chance to prove himself. O’Connell helped Sam Darnold revive his career last year and he could do the same for Wentz.
Other injury news
Vikings rookie guard Donovan Jackson, who's been very solid in his first few games as a pro out of Ohio State, had surgery on his wrist Monday according to O'Connell.
"Just want to first and foremost highlight a young player who played a fantastic football game, but to do it in those circumstances, and be willing to, without any hesitation, be out there with this team," O'Connell said. "We're already down a some guys in the interior who will return this week. I thought Donovan was fantastic this week."
Jackson apparentely suffered the injury in Week 2 but played with it in Week 3. He's not expected back on the field until after the Week 7 bye. Blake Brandel will start at left guard in Jackson's place.
Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave also left Sunday's game early, but O'Connell didn't have an update on his status.
"He came out sore but in a good spot. Should be able to work through the week and be available," said O'Connell.
Expected to return Sunday in Dublin is starting center Ryan Kelly who was out with a concussion.
The Bengal game also saw a return to action for left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's finally back after a torn ACL. And it was immediately obvious why he was missed along the offensive front.
Darrisaw was dominant up front, holding up against one of the league's best pass rushers, Trey Hendrickson. Darrisaw, in 38 snaps, allowed no QB pressures, no sacks, and no QB hits.
As CBS Sports Tony Romo noted on the TV broadcast, having Darrisaw back allowed the Vikings to free up their tight ends in the passing game since they no longer needed help up front.
"You can see his impact," O'Connell said Monday. "The best part of the tape, once we put the ball in the end zone, kind of right behind CD, some double-teams inside, you could see this is guy celebrating as if he had the ball in his hands. He played at a really high level, really good player he was going against on the other side. He has the last bit of confidence he needed and should be in a great position going forward."
O'Connell did say they'd have a restructured practice schedule going forward with Darrisaw to keep him fresh and healthy.