Standouts and Stumbles from the Vikings Win at Giants

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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:

1. To see if McCarthy’s development would continue after fabulous games against the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys
2. 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.

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.

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.