Backup QB helps Vikings knock off Giants
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) leaps into the end zone against New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (27) and linebacker Brian Burns (0) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Backup quarterback Max Brosmer, replacing an injured J.J. McCarthy, led a go-ahead scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 16-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.
Brosmer completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards for Minnesota (7-8), which won its third consecutive game. McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and an interception, and he also rushed for a touchdown before he injured his right hand.
Jaxson Dart completed 7 of 13 passes for 33 yards and an interception for New York (2-13), which lost its ninth game in a row. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had 16 carries for 71 yards.
The Vikings outgained the Giants 240-141.
The score was tied at 13 when Brosmer led a 14-play, 57-yard drive that took 6:51 off the clock. Will Reichard made a go-ahead 30-yard field goal to put Minnesota on top 16-13 with 4:15 remaining.
Minnesota opened the scoring on its first drive. Reichard made a 43-yard field goal.
The Giants pulled even at 3 when Ben Sauls connected on a 27-yard field goal with 11:04 remaining in the second quarter.
The back-and-forth kicking battle continued as Reichard made a 31-yarder with 4:50 left in the first half to put the Vikings back on top 6-3.
Minnesota increased its lead to 13-3 with 2:01 to go in the first half. McCarthy scanned the field, tucked the ball and sprinted to his right for a 12-yard touchdown.
New York relied on a defensive touchdown to pull within 13-10 with 17 seconds left in the half. Burns rushed off the left side of the defensive line and drilled McCarthy to pop the ball loose.
Giants safety Tyler Nubin scooped up the fumble and returned it 27 yards for the score.
McCarthy appeared to injure his right hand on the play. He flinched as medical staff looked at his hand on the sidelines, and he did not return to the game.
Sauls made another field goal, this time from 39 yards, to even the score at 13 with 11:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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