EAST RUTHERFORD —J.J. McCarthy ran for a touchdown before leaving with an injury to his right, throwing hand, and backup quarterback Max Brosmer helped the Minnesota Vikings win their third game in a row, beating the New York Giants 16-13 on Sunday in a matchup of teams eliminated from playoff con tention. McCarthy was injured on a strip sack by Brian Burns in the final minute of the first half, when it appeared the Vikings (7-8) were going to let the clock run out. Instead, Burns forced McCarthy to fumble with a crushing hit and Tyler Nubin returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, 9, releases the ball before he’s hit by Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, 51, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, throws the ball as he’s pressured by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, 51, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, steps away from the pressure of Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, 61, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, 9, throws the ball as Giants defensive back Tyler Nubin, 27, tries to bat it down during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants defensive back Deonte Banks catches a punt against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., 29, carries the ball as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Jay Ward, 24, comes up to make the tackle during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, 33, is tackled by Giants linebacker Chauncey Golston, 57, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, 80, catches a kick off against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, passes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, 18, is tackled by Giants defensive backs Dane Belton, 24, and Tyler Nubin, 27, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants kicker Ben Sauls, 30, boots a field goal against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, 17, hauls in a catch against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants running back Devin Singletary, 26, looks to move around Minnesota Vikings defensive back Isaiah Rodgers, 2, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants running back Devin Singletary, 26, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, 51, and defensive back Byron Murphy Jr., 7, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton, 18, tries to get away from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, 51, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants offensive tackle Marcus Mbow, 71, blocks against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner, 15, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson, 55, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, hands the ball off to running back Devin Singletary, 26, against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants running back Devin Singletary, 26, is upended by Minnesota Vikings defensive back Isaiah Rodgers, 2, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, 43, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, 43, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, 51, sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer, 12, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, 6, throws the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Giants defensive end Brian Burns, 0, celebrates with teammates after he forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by defensive back Tyler Nubin, 27, against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Show Caption1 of 25Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, 9, releases the ball before he’s hit by Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, 51, during an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. (Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartzphoto.com) Expand Brosmer led a go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter that ended with Will Reichard making a 30-yard field goal. The rookie completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards in his fourth NFL appearance and first since throwing four interceptions Nov. 30 in a 26-0 loss at Seattle. Before getting hurt, McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and had a would-be pick-6 negated by an offside penalty on Abdul Carter. After having his entire rookie year wiped out by a torn meniscus in his right knee, the 2024 No. 10 pick has missed time this season because of a concussion and a sprained right ankle. The Giants (2-13) lost their ninth consecutive game and fifth since Mike Kafka took over as interim coach when Brian Daboll was fired on Nov. 10. They have not won since Oct. 9. Rookie QB Jaxson Dart did not attempt a pass until 1:44 left in the second quarter and finished 7 of 13 for 33 yards and his fifth career interception, which came when his throw bounced off Theo Johnson’s hands and into Byron Murphy’s. Dart was sacked five times, including by Andrew Van Ginkel on fourth and 3 with two minutes left. Ben Saul made two field goals in his debut, and New York’s only TD was Nubin’s scoop and score. The offense’s longest play was 18 yards, and Darius Slayton’s drop late elicited boos from some of the fans who remained in the stands at the Meadowlands. ...read more read less