DETROIT — The highly anticipated return of young quarterback J.J. McCarthy reinstilled hope into a campaign that seemed to be lost.

After missing the past month and a half with a high ankle sprain, McCarthy was finally back under center for the Vikings against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field, and some how, some way, he helped captained an improbable 27-24 upset win.

On the most important play of the game, McCarthy uncorked a perfect back shoulder fade to receiver Jalen Nailor, who made a twisting grab amid blanketed coverage to put the game on ice. In the immediate aftermath, McCarthy took a couple of knees, and the Vikings walked off the field with a huge win to put themselves right back in the conversation in the NFC North.

It was an impressive performance from McC

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