The Minnesota Vikings are hanging by a thread in the NFC playoff picture. At 4-8, their margin for error is gone.
But head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t blinking. With a must-win matchup against the Washington Commanders on deck this Sunday, O’Connell is keeping his message simple: stay in the moment.
“It’s about trying to go 1-0 this week,” he told reporters Wednesday. “If you’ve ever wondered why that cliché gets used so much, this is exactly why. It matters more now than ever.”
And he’s not wrong. The Vikings aren’t chasing a five-game win streak or a miracle run. They’re chasing one win-because that’s the only thing they can control right now.
Quarterback Carousel Has Taken Its Toll
Let’s be real: the Vikings' 2025 season has been defined by one thing-quarterback chaos. After a 14-3 campaign last year, expectations were sky-high. But the revolving door under center has made it nearly impossible for the offense to find rhythm or consistency.
It started with Sam Darnold’s exit to Seattle, which opened the door for rookie JJ McCarthy. Coming off a serious knee injury, McCarthy finally got his shot-only to go 1-1 in two starts before spraining his ankle. Enter Carson Wentz, who managed a 2-3 record before a shoulder injury ended his season.
McCarthy returned and got four more starts, but it was a rough stretch. He went 1-3, with all three losses coming back-to-back, before a concussion knocked him out again.
That led to Max Brosmer’s debut in Seattle-a game he’ll want to forget. Four interceptions.
Four sacks. A shutout loss.
Now, McCarthy is back in the saddle once again, and O’Connell’s message to his rookie quarterback is clear: don’t overthink it.
“Let’s just make the throws. Let’s just throw and catch,” O’Connell said. “Let’s just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan.”
It’s a back-to-basics approach, and it’s exactly what McCarthy needs. The talent is there.
The arm talent, the mobility, the poise-it’s all flashed in moments. But the Vikings need more than flashes.
They need execution. They need a quarterback who can command the offense and avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued them all year.
Jefferson’s Frustration Boils Over
Following the shutout loss in Seattle, frustration was written all over Justin Jefferson’s face-and his actions. The All-Pro wideout had just two catches for four yards and didn’t speak to the media postgame, heading straight out of the locker room.
O’Connell addressed it Wednesday, and he didn’t throw his star under the bus.
“He obviously wants to win football games,” the coach said. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around. He’s a leader on our team, and nobody is accepting the outcomes we’re facing right now.”
That’s the kind of accountability you want to hear from your head coach. He’s not sugarcoating the situation, but he’s also not letting frustration fracture the locker room.
Jefferson’s passion is well-documented. He’s a tone-setter, and even when the numbers aren’t there, his presence alone changes how defenses play the Vikings.
O’Connell emphasized that Jefferson continues to bring energy and leadership behind the scenes. That’s going to be critical if Minnesota has any shot at salvaging what’s left of this season.
All Eyes on Sunday
Kickoff against the Commanders is set for 12 p.m. CT on FOX, and make no mistake-this is a do-or-die moment for the Vikings. With the playoff window barely cracked open, they need to slam the door shut on their recent struggles and find a way to win.
That starts with McCarthy playing clean football. It means Jefferson getting involved early and often. And it requires a defense that can help carry the weight in a game where every possession matters.
It’s been a wild ride in Minnesota this season. But if they’re going to make anything of it, the climb back starts now-one game at a time.