Vikings snap losing streak and blank Commanders 31-0

The Minnesota Vikings entered the week with the NFL’s worst turnover margin at minus-15 — the clearest sign of their turbulent season.

But on Sunday, they finally protected the football, giving rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy the clean, confidence-building performance he desperately needed.

McCarthy threw a career-best three touchdown passes and avoided turnovers for the first time in his young career, returning from injury in top form during a 31–0 rout of the Washington Commanders — handing Washington its eighth straight defeat.

“This is something I feel like should’ve happened a long time ago,” McCarthy said. “I’m grateful for the patience and support those guys have had with me, but now we’ve got to keep doing it.”

Making his seventh NFL start, McCarthy completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards after missing the previous week with a concussion — a game in which Minnesota was shut out for the first time in 18 years while losing their fourth straight. This time, the Vikings were the ones pitching the shutout, earning just their second turnover-free game of the season.

They also snapped a three-game losing streak at U.S. Bank Stadium, where fans had showered them with boos during their last home appearance.