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Standouts and Stumbles from the Vikings Win at Giants
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- Standouts and Stumbles from the Vikings Win at Giants
The Kevin O’Connell Quarterback Power Ranking if 2026 Goes South
Reminiscent of the Minnesota Vikings ' ugly win at the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, Kevin O'Connell and Co. took down the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday by a score of 16-13. These are winners and losers from that dub.
Minnesota got the win in New York , yet the aftermath was messy — big plays, drive-saving moments, and one development that could change the next few weeks.
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Minnesota has a 7-8 record in 2025, enjoying a three-game win streak after losing four straight to effectively ruin its playoff chances.
What the Vikings' Win in New York Revealed
The Vikings won in Week 16, and here's the fallout.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson secures a pass during the first half, Dec 21, 2025, against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jefferson worked through tight coverage early, giving Minnesota a reliable target as the offense searched for rhythm and sustained drives in a road environment setting. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch–Imagn Images
Winner: Justin Jefferson
Alas, Jefferson got off the schneid in New Jersey, tallying 6 receptions for 85 yards, a stat line still a bit pedestrian by his normative standards but otherwise awesome compared to the last month.
Jefferson made the most of his opportunities with J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer under center and even singlehandedly kept drives alive with momentous 3rd Down catches and scampers. This sentence is often used regarding Jefferson, but here goes nothin': the Vikings would not have won that game at New York with Justin Jefferson.
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Meanwhile, his performance on Sunday was refreshing because Jefferson is now just 83 yards from his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season . The streak was in jeopardy until Week 16.
Loser: J.J. McCarthy
The biggest loser of the week — and possibly the entire NFL right now — McCarthy injured his hand on an opposing player's helmet. Soon after, he could not grip the ball, fumbled, and left the game. He didn't return.
This was the final play of McCarthy's afternoon:
Before the injury, McCarthy played well — if his wide receivers didn't drop ball after ball. Jordan Addison dropped the best ball of McCarthy's career, which turned out to be a bad omen of things to come.
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McCarthy's status is now up in the air. He could miss the season's final two games, though x-rays were negative. It's now a matter of whether McCarthy has a bruise or ligament damage .
The guy cannot stay healthy.
The Athletic 's Alec Lewis noted McCarthy's injury, "The injury raises bigger questions about his long-term availability. McCarthy missed five games with a high ankle sprain early in the season, then another in Week 13 because he was in the concussion protocol."
"Minnesota hoped he could stay healthy down the stretch, with two formidable matchups against the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers forthcoming. Missing those games would send the Vikings into the offseason with an 8.5-game sample and decisions to make at the position."
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That sample is extremely teensy for a franchise that must make a momentous decision on McCarthy.
Lewis concluded, "They're going to have to weigh his lack of consistent availability, as coach Kevin O'Connell enters his fifth season without a playoff win."
Winner: All the Defensive Tackles
The Vikings' interior defensive linemen exploded against the Giants. Veteran Javon Hargrave did not play — and that just didn't matter.
Jonathan Allen fired up his best game — by far — as a Viking, banking 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hit. In fact, one could argue it was Allen's first good game in Minnesota.
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Levi Drake Rodriguez produced 5 tackles, 1 sack, and a quarterback hit. And should-be Pro Bowler Jalen Redmond delivered 4 tackles, 1 sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez celebrates with teammate Bo Richter after a key defensive snap during the 2024 season, illustrating youthful energy along Minnesota's front. The exchange highlighted emerging depth, with Rodriguez flashing interior disruption and Richter reinforcing the unit's physical tone as young contributors made themselves felt across the defense overall. Mandatory Credit: Alli Rusco–Vikings.com
This setup could be a peek into Minnesota's future, as some credible Vikings analysts have claimed that Hargrave could be released when the offseason rolls around.
Loser: The Viewing Audience
Vikings fans tuned into Week 16 for two primary reasons:
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To see if McCarthy's development would continue after fabulous games against the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys
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To make sure McCarthy stayed upright and healthy
Instead, receivers dropped a few of McCarthy's best throws, and the man got hurt.
New York had nothing to play for, and if it had won, the Giants would have fallen from their 2026 draft pick, currently possessing the first overall pick. In the guts of the 4th Quarter, most hardcore Vikings fans didn't care who won and lost. McCarthy's injury ruined the mood.
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Winner: Aaron Jones
Jones didn't have a career outing, but he tabulated 85 rushing yards on 21 carries, good enough for 4 yards per carry.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. cuts upfield with the ball against the New York Giants, Dec 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jones pressed the line with patience and burst, underscoring Minnesota's commitment to balance while grinding out yardage in a noisy road setting through traffic late there. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans–USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The moment McCarthy left the game, O'Connell knew he'd have to run the football to win , as the aforementioned Brosmer is not ready to win a game with his arm. Hobbled by injury, Jones played through the pain and kept Minnesota's offense humming (to an extent).
On the game's final drive, the Vikings needed a first down to close out the Giants, and Jones personally said, "Sure." The veteran runner proved once again that he's a pro's pro.
