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Reaction to Vikings’ Grueling Win Over the Giants
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- Reaction to Vikings’ Grueling Win Over the Giants
Reaction to Vikings’ Grueling Win Over the Giants
The Minnesota Vikings made it three wins in a row in Week 16 with a gruelling 16-13 win on the road at the New York Giants .
The Vikings escaped with the result, but the reaction told a fuller story—one shaped by defense, injury concern, and a win that demanded more than it gave back.
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The win moved Minnesota to 7-8 with two games remaining in the 2025 season.
What People Are Saying After the Vikings' Grueling Win Over the Giants
It wasn't a pretty game, largely won on the back of Brian Flores' defense, which gave rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart a torrid time. With only 33 passing yards, Dart couldn't move the ball for his team, and despite the Giants being effective in running the ball, the lack of a passing game was too much to overcome.
The Vikings had their own offensive problems with an interception, a pick-six negated by a penalty, and a fumble recovered for a touchdown before JJ McCarthy was knocked out of the game with a hand injury.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is taken to the locker room after a hit against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Post-game, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed that McCarthy had an X-ray that was negative, but didn't expand further.
A Touch of Redemption for Max Brosmer
Max Brosmer came in and engineered one drive that ended with a Will Reichard field goal, enough to earn the Vikings the win.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) warms up on Oct. 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood before Minnesota's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, moving through early throwing reps while teammates rotated across the field during pregame. The session offered a look at his rhythm and preparation as the Vikings settled into their routines under the stadium lights. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
After a nightmare game against Seattle when he had the chance to start, Brosmer conducted the offense efficiently and with composure. Completing 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards, he got his team into routine field goal range for the decisive moment of the game.
After a rough few weeks for the Vikings' star wide receiver Justin Jefferson , it was a much better outing this week. His six catches for 85 yards included a couple of incredible sideline grabs and catch-and-runs where he broke through tackles.
Vikings Hall of Fame WR Cris Carter has been vocally critical of McCarthy this season, but showed him some understanding when the Vikings had a case of the drops in the first half – including on what would have been a touchdown for Jordan Addison .
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Aaron Jones Produces Heroic Effort for Banged-Up Offense
Early in the first quarter, the Vikings had both of their top two running backs questionable to return with ankle injuries. Jordan Mason never came back, but Aaron Jones did, and with the injury to McCarthy, a Vikings offense that was already wanting to lean on the run needed to even more. Jones answered the call.
Jones was clearly hurting, but he kept going, and while a statline of 21 carries for 85 yards doesn't seem like anything special. It was a memorable performance from the veteran back who gutted it out for his team. It was fitting that he hobbled to the sideline before telling the coaches he was good to go back in, and then rushed for the game-winning first down.
