The Minnesota Vikings walked out of the Meadowlands with a 16-13 win over the New York Giants, but it felt more like survival than celebration. In a game that had the energy of a preseason tune-up rather than a late-December clash, both teams were playing for pride-and maybe a little draft positioning. But for the Vikings, the victory came at a steep cost.
The injuries piled up fast, and with a Christmas Day game looming on a short week, Minnesota’s already battered offense is now in triage mode. Let’s break down what happened and what it means as the Vikings prepare to host under the national spotlight.
J.J. McCarthy’s Painful Exit
The biggest storyline coming out of Sunday wasn’t the final score-it was the sight of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy clutching his throwing hand in pain after a costly strip sack late in the first half. The fumble was scooped and returned for the Giants’ only touchdown of the day, but the bigger blow came seconds later when McCarthy headed to the sideline clearly hurting.
The X-rays came back negative, which is a bit of good news, but the pain was real-and visible. McCarthy didn’t return to the game, and it’s hard to imagine he’ll be ready to go on such a short turnaround.
That likely means Max Brosmer will get the nod on Christmas Day, making just his second start of the season. His first start didn’t go so well in Seattle, but he did show poise down the stretch on Sunday, leading a game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter.
If Brosmer does start, he’ll be doing it behind an offensive line that’s been held together with duct tape and hope.
Ryan Kelly’s Concerning Status
The Vikings’ O-line has taken hit after hit this season, and Sunday was no different. Already without Christian Darrisaw, who was placed on IR before the game, Minnesota lost veteran center Ryan Kelly midway through the second quarter with concussion-like symptoms.
It’s a troubling development for Kelly, who’s dealt with multiple concussions this season-this could be his third of the year and sixth of his career. That’s not just a football issue, that’s a long-term health concern. While fans speculate about his future, the team has to turn to Michael Jurgens, who filled in for the second half and has been called on frequently this season due to Kelly’s absences.
Jurgens has held his own in spot duty, but the drop-off in cohesion up front is noticeable. And with a young quarterback-whether McCarthy or Brosmer-under center, that’s a real concern heading into Week 17.
Running Backs Drop Like Flies
The Vikings came into the game with three healthy running backs. They left with just one.
Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason both suffered ankle injuries on the opening drive. Jones managed to return, but it was clear he wasn’t at full strength-he hobbled through the rest of the game and never looked like the explosive back fans are used to seeing. Mason didn’t return at all, which left Zavier Scott to carry the load for much of the game.
Scott handled it admirably, but if Jones and Mason can’t go on Christmas, the Vikings will be razor-thin at a position that’s already lacked consistency this season. Ty Chandler is still working his way back from a Week 1 knee injury, and while there’s hope he could return, that’s far from guaranteed.
If Jones is sidelined, Scott and possibly Chandler will have to shoulder the load. That’s a tall order for a group that’s already been patchworked together for most of the year.
What Now?
Sunday’s win didn’t change much in the standings-neither the Vikings nor the Giants are headed to the playoffs. But it did change the outlook for Minnesota’s final two games. Instead of using these matchups to evaluate young talent in a relatively stable environment, the Vikings are now scrambling to fill key roles across the offense.
With just a few days to recover, regroup, and retool, the Vikings will take the field on Christmas Day with a skeleton crew on offense. It’s not how they drew it up in August, but it’s where they are now-fighting to finish strong in a season that’s been anything but conventional.
For fans, it’s a chance to see how this team responds to adversity. For the front office, it’s one more opportunity to evaluate who’s worth building around in 2026. And for the players still standing, it’s about pride, resilience, and making the most of the moments they have left this year.