Christmas Shows Unsparked Coal for Vikings
Netflix paid a lot of money to air the Minnesota Vikings’ game against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. They assumed the game might hold meaning, and that maybe J.J. McCarthy would become a solid NFL quarterback. Neither reality held true by Week 17, and despite a 13-point victory, it was a snoozefest.
Minnesota had nothing to gain in the standings, but plenty to take from embarrassing a desperate Lions team on a national stage.
J.J. McCarthy’s season is all but over after fracturing his hand. Max Brosmer started his second NFL game and got a win while accumulating just three net passing yards. For as bad as everything was, the most significant storyline seemed to be how bad the Vikings’ defense made their opponents look.
A Statement Win with Nothing on the Line for Vikings
This was not the first time Minnesota beat Dan Campbell’s Lions this season, but it was the outcome that ended their season. Brian Flores had his group giving Jared Goff fits. Detroit turned the ball over a whopping five times. The group got to Goff five times as well.
No, the Vikings didn’t have their starting quarterback (who hadn’t been very good) or the backup (who had been better). They didn’t have three starting linemen, and they didn’t have starting tight end T.J. Hockenson. They are down multiple players on defense as well. Despite the growing list of injured players, they still win games like Thursday’s.
That’s why seeing the gamble both Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell made in trusting J.J. McCarthy hurts that much more. Their first-round pick in 2024 missed his entire rookie season without getting any practice reps. He wasn’t pushed or supported by a capable veteran during the offseason or training camp. It also quickly became clear he wasn’t ready for the bright lights as the starter either.
Now, with an 8-8 record, eliminated from the playoffs, and in a tough division, they could close things out with a win over their rival. A 9-8 record for a team that has gone through this level of adversity is certainly impressive. It’s only disappointing when considering just how substantially better things may have gone had anything close to a competent quarterback been under center.
The Vikings offered Daniel Jones more money but wouldn’t commit to him. Aaron Rodgers wanted to work with their vast playmakers. Heck, Sam Darnold on a hefty enough one-year deal may have been swayed as well.
Now needing to sort through the cap situation they are in, and with no real answers at quarterback, the team can’t get it wrong again. Adofo-Mensah probably shouldn’t be the one pulling the strings, but whoever is has to turn things around significantly in 2026.
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