MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — J.J. McCarthy finished his first game for the Minnesota Vikings with a flourish , refusing to let early struggles sidetrack his focus in the daunting environment of a night game on the road against a division rival.

He gets to play at home this time, with the hero’s welcome that will surely be a part of it.

“Extremely excited to hear that ‘Skol’ chant, just feel that energy, that exuberant environment,” McCarthy said, referencing the hands-over-heads clap Vikings fans have established as a rhythmic ritual that crescendos right before kickoff.

After rallying from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24 and commence their first season with McCarthy as the starting quarterback , the Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons

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