EAGAN, Minn. -- In an alternate universe, the Minnesota Vikings are spending their bye week deciding whether the timing is right to promote rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the starting role. Here in the real world, of course, the No. 10 draft pick is on injured reserve and the Vikings' starting quarterback -- Sam Darnold -- has garnered some early MVP support.
Darnold and the Vikings are the NFL's biggest surprise this season, and one of the most unexpected stories in recent memory. Dismissed externally following McCarthy's preseason knee injury, the Vikings are 5-0 and nearing ESPN's FPI projection for their season win total (6.