The Vikings coach criticized his quarterback's touchdown celebration and said he would have preferred McCarthy sprint into the end zone.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy defied his head coach's orders when he Griddy'd his way into the end zone in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

The win was the second in a row for the Vikings, but they were eliminated from playoff contention before kickoff. That makes McCarthy's development even more of a focus in the final three weeks and the Vikings will prefer more reasons to celebrate even if they don't love exactly how it unfolds.

JJ McCarthy’s transition to the NFL was always going to be scrutinized. But the Vikings' sophomore quarterback is now facing sharp criticism from one of the league’s most respected voices.  Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter didn’t hold back while discussing McCarthy’s recent behavior with reporter/analyst Kay Adams.

Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter has not held back his skepticism around J.J. McCarthy at times this season. And even after the best game of the young quarterback's career on Sunday night, Carter still doesn't sound like a believer.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was displeased with J.J. McCarthy's modified "Griddy" touchdown dance, a celebration the QB admitted he had been warned not to do.

QB J.J. McCarthy threw for a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a score as the Vikings beat the Cowboys 34-26 on Sunday night.

Last week against the Commanders was the best performance of J.J. McCarthy's career up to that point. This week, he one-upped himself. McCarthy was even better in a 250-yard, 3-total-touchdown road outing against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.