The Vikings finally solved their turnover problem and delivered their most complete performance of the season, in a 31–0 rout of the Commanders (3-10) that snapped a four-game losing streak and gave rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy a much-needed reset.
Entering the week with the league’s worst turnover margin, Minnesota played clean football for just the second time all year, and McCarthy responded with the best outing of his young career.
Returning from a concussion that sidelined him in Seattle, McCarthy went 16 of 23 for 163 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes, all to tight ends. Josh Oliver hauled in the first two scores, and T.J. Hockenson added the third as the Vikings dominated time of possession and controlled the game from the opening drive. Minnesota opened with a quick touchdown march, then followed with a marathon 19-play, 98-yard drive that drained more than 12 minutes off the clock, the team’s longest drive in at least two decades, capped by a Jordan Mason touchdown.
The Vikings’ ground game pounded out 128 combined yards from Mason and Aaron Jones, and the defense took care of the rest. Washington was stuffed on fourth-and-goal early, then shut out completely as Minnesota held the Commanders to their eighth straight loss.
Jayden Daniels’ return from injury unraveled quickly; the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year left in the third quarter after re-injuring the same elbow that cost him three games earlier this season. Marcus Mariota came in and turned the ball over twice as the game slipped further out of reach.
Minnesota improved to 5–8 and won at home for the first time in a month, delivering the kind of complementary football fans had been waiting to see. Even with limited production from Justin Jefferson, the Vikings stayed in rhythm, controlled the ball for long stretches, and never gave Washington a chance to recover.
Injuries
Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels left after re-injuring his left elbow. TE Zach Ertz exited with a right knee injury, with fear of an ACL tear.
Up Next
Commanders: Visit the New York Giants next Sunday.
Vikings: Travel to face the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday night.
