J.J. McCarthy’s 12-play first appearance offered a clear snapshot: rapid timing, clean ball placement, and calm under real NFL pressure. His best moment came on a poised fourth-down decision that kept a drive alive, signaling the poise Vikings coaches want to see from their rookie QB. Jordan Addison flashed elite playmaking as a target, including a Diving catch that survived heavy coverage and showed his separation ability on time throws.

On the ground, Dallas Turner anchored the edge with physicality, while Donovan Jackson had two rough reps that underscored the NFL speed Autumn-level challenge for rookies. The night also produced a handful of second- and third-string standouts—Xavier Scott looked like a genuine roster hopeful, and Xavier Scott’s burst opened lanes late in drives. Rondell Moore’s injury tragedy cast a shadow over the win, stressing depth at WR. Special teams offered momentum shifts, with Ty Felton delivering impact and Will Riker handling kicks cleanly, though Tim Jones drew penalties that will need correcting as rosters tighten. Overall, Minnesota walked off with a 20–10 victory and a batch of positive game-relevant takeaways for fantasy managers scouting depth and upside in late-rounds and dynasty leagues.