JJ McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings’ matchup against the Baltimore Ravens turned into a night of frustration and unwanted history. Eight false-start penalties marred a sloppy offensive performance that kept Minnesota from finding any consistent rhythm at home.
McCarthy, making only his fourth career start, struggled to settle the team and took full responsibility for the miscues. Each time the Vikings appeared to build momentum, another whistle or backward march halted their progress. The offense finished with 102 penalty yards, and eight of those were false starts, the most by a home team in the NFL since 2009.
Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
What made the situation more frustrating was that these mistakes came inside U.S. Bank Stadium, where crowd noise should have been in Minnesota’s favor. Instead, communication breakdowns disrupted multiple drives, leaving McCarthy trying to steady an increasingly restless offense. Some linemen shifted early in an effort to anticipate his cadence, while others seemed confused by Baltimore’s defensive movement before the snap.
Despite flashes of promise, including drives that averaged six yards per play, the Vikings failed to maintain composure under pressure. McCarthy threw two interceptions and struggled with tipped passes at the line of scrimmage, while the Ravens’ defensive front applied constant pressure. Minnesota’s running game offered little relief, and the team ultimately fell 27-20.
JJ McCarthy and Minnesota Vikings Achieved Unwanted Feat Against Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
McCarthy and his team made a feat no one wanted in their game against the Ravens. This can be seen in a post shared by NFL on ESPN’s official Instagram account.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill admitted he had to perform better after being flagged three times. The overall lack of discipline overshadowed what had been a competitive contest and left head coach Kevin O’Connell calling the infractions unacceptable. The loss dropped Minnesota deeper in the NFC playoff picture as the team continues to chase consistency from its young quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Vikings must now regroup quickly if they hope to stay alive in the postseason race. Sunday’s loss served as a harsh reminder that even small mental mistakes can derail an entire game.
Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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