After leading the Vikings to a 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders, young quarterback J.J. McCarthy tried his best to keep the focus on the big picture.

He repeatedly talked about how his success in the present — he completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards and a trio of touchdowns in the win — doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t translate to success in the future.

McCarthy, however, momentarily let his guard down after some prodding at the podium, answering honestly when asked if he needed a performance like this to ease his mind.

“Yeah,” he said. “It’s definitely reassuring.”

There hasn’t been much for McCarthy to feel good about this season as he attempts to put the pieces together. He missed more than a month and a half with a high ankle sprain, then seemed to get bogged down in

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