Vikings pick up win over Giants 16-13, McCarthy picks up injury on hand

J.J. McCarthy had already injured his throwing hand before sprinting into the end zone for a touchdown. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell checked on the rookie quarterback, but the pain eventually worsened to the point where McCarthy could no longer grip the ball.

McCarthy left the game just before halftime, and backup Max Brosmer stepped in to help Minnesota secure its third straight win, a 16–13 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. Both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention.

“I’m just glad this team kept fighting all the way to the end,” receiver Justin Jefferson said after finishing with six catches for 85 yards. “We don’t hang our heads, and we don’t give up.”

The win came after a chaotic weekend for the Vikings, who were forced to turn around mid-flight due to mechanical issues and take a second plane to northern New Jersey on Saturday.

“It was an interesting 24 hours,” O’Connell said. “But I’m proud of how the guys handled the adversity and still found a way to win.”

McCarthy’s availability for the final two games of the season remains uncertain, though O’Connell said X-rays on his hand were negative. His final play came late in the first half, when Brian Burns strip-sacked him and Tyler Nubin returned the fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, cutting into what appeared to be a quiet end to the half.

Brosmer responded in the fourth quarter by leading a go-ahead drive that ended with Will Reichard’s 30-yard field goal. The rookie quarterback completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards in his first appearance since a rough outing in Seattle last month.

“I was proud of him,” Jefferson said. “He stayed calm, trusted himself, and helped get us the win.”

Before the injury, McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards. A potential interception return for a touchdown was wiped out by an offside penalty. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft has endured a challenging rookie season, previously missing time with a knee injury, concussion, and ankle sprain.

The Giants dropped their ninth straight game and fell to 2–13. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart struggled in his second NFL start, completing 7 of 13 passes for just 33 yards and throwing his fifth career interception. He was sacked five times, including on a critical fourth-down play late in the game.

“This is new for me,” Dart said. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m trying to stay positive.”

New York failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second consecutive game against Brian Flores’ Vikings defense. Ben Saul made two field goals in his debut, but the Giants managed only 13 net yards, and frustration was evident among the remaining fans at MetLife Stadium as the game slipped away.