Overview
- In his seventh start, McCarthy went 16-of-23 for 163 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, becoming the first Vikings quarterback age 22 or younger since 1977 to throw three TDs in a game.
- Coach Kevin O’Connell pared back the playbook to emphasize decision-making, and the approach produced a run-heavy attack and a 19-play, 98-yard touchdown drive that consumed 12 minutes.
- Protection remains a concern as McCarthy was sacked four times; he has been charged with 24 sacks this season for an estimated 12.9% sack rate near the bottom of the league.
- Minnesota improved to 5-8 with four games left, and ESPN Analytics moved the team out of the projected top 10 for the 2026 draft to No. 11 after the victory.
- Justin Jefferson finished with two catches for 11 yards and later tried to re-enter the game before team security intervened, which O’Connell characterized as competitiveness rather than conflict.