MINNEAPOLIS — The stage was set for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, another nationally televised game for him to build on a successful NFL debut last week in Chicago.

He couldn’t keep the momentum rolling on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Not once throughout the game did McCarthy look like he was in a rhythm as the Vikings suffered a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The game wasn’t as close as the score might indicate, as the Vikings were thoroughly dominated from start to finish.

The stat line for McCarthy was ugly. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 158 yards, a pair of interceptions and a fumble. He was also sacked a half-dozen times as injuries on the offensive line made pass blocking seem optional.

The disastrous performance incited a packed house to rush for the exits long be

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