The Washington Commanders vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats show how Minnesota used long drives, red-zone execution, and three takeaways to secure a 31-0 win. The Vikings scored in every quarter and held Washington scoreless on two red-zone visits.

Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdown passes without an interception. The Vikings also ran for 162 yards, controlled possession for almost 35 minutes, and ended a four-game losing streak. Washington dropped to 3-10 and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Match Overview

The Week 14 game was played indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota entered at 4-8, while Washington arrived with a 3-9 record and a seven-game losing streak.

Pre-Match Context

Washington entered the game after a 27-26 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. The Commanders had lost seven consecutive games, but Jayden Daniels returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with a dislocated left elbow.

Minnesota had lost four straight and had been shut out 26-0 by Seattle one week earlier. McCarthy returned after clearing the concussion protocol. The Vikings also entered with an NFL-worst minus-15 turnover margin, making ball security one of their main concerns.

The game also brought several former Washington players against their old team. Minnesota defensive lineman Jonathan Allen had spent his first eight NFL seasons with Washington, while Washington linebacker Von Miller was facing a Vikings offense that needed a cleaner performance from its protection unit.

Quarter-by-Quarter Score

Minnesota scored seven points in each of the first two quarters, added 10 in the third, and completed the scoring with another touchdown in the fourth.

Quarter-by-Quarter Game Breakdown

First Quarter: Minnesota Scores First and Protects Its Goal Line

Minnesota received the opening kickoff, and Myles Price returned it 35 yards to the Vikings’ 39-yard line. McCarthy completed all four of his passes on a seven-play, 61-yard drive.

The quarterback finished the possession with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Josh Oliver. Will Reichard made the extra point to give Minnesota a 7-0 lead with 11:03 remaining.

Washington responded with its longest drive of the first half. The Commanders moved from their own 15-yard line to the Minnesota 2, using 15 plays and gaining 83 net yards.

The drive ended on fourth down when Daniels’ pass for Deebo Samuel was incomplete. The stop prevented Washington from answering Minnesota’s opening touchdown and gave the Vikings the ball near their own goal line.

Second Quarter: A 98-Yard Drive Extends the Lead

Minnesota began its second scoring drive at its own 2-yard line. The Vikings used 19 plays, converted five third downs, and kept possession for 12 minutes and one second.

Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, McCarthy, and several short completions helped Minnesota move down the field. Mason completed the 98-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.

The drive left Washington with limited possession time in the quarter. Minnesota held the ball for more than 12 minutes during the period and entered halftime with a 14-0 lead.

Washington’s defense forced one Minnesota punt later in the half when Von Miller sacked McCarthy. However, the Commanders did not turn the stop into points before halftime.

Third Quarter: Two Interceptions Change the Game

Washington opened the second half with a 12-play drive that reached the Minnesota 19-yard line. On fourth-and-3, Daniels attempted a pass for Terry McLaurin.

Andrew Van Ginkel intercepted it at the Minnesota 30 and returned the ball 40 yards to the Washington 30. Daniels landed on his previously injured left elbow during the return and did not play again.

Minnesota gained only three yards after the takeaway, but Reichard made a 45-yard field goal to increase the lead to 17-0.

Marcus Mariota replaced Daniels. On his second possession, Harrison Smith intercepted a pass intended for Noah Brown and returned it 11 yards.

McCarthy then completed a 20-yard pass to Jordan Addison before finding Oliver for a six-yard touchdown. Minnesota scored 10 points following the two third-quarter interceptions and carried a 24-0 lead into the final period.

Washington also lost tight end Zach Ertz to a right knee injury during the quarter. He was helped from the field and ruled out.

Fourth Quarter: Minnesota Completes the Shutout

Minnesota continued a drive that began late in the third quarter. The Vikings reached fourth-and-goal from the Washington 2 before McCarthy connected with T.J. Hockenson for his third touchdown pass.

Washington later moved to the Minnesota 24-yard line. Mariota scrambled on the next play, but Javon Hargrave forced and recovered a fumble at the Vikings’ 17.

Minnesota took possession with 7:53 remaining and did not give the ball back. The Vikings ran 12 plays, collected four first downs, and ended the game with quarterback kneels.

That final possession prevented Washington from receiving another opportunity to end the shutout.

Team Stats Comparison

Minnesota produced 107 more total yards, earned 13 more first downs, and ran 12 more offensive plays. The Vikings also finished without a turnover while Washington lost the ball three times.

Key Numbers That Decided the Game

Four Touchdowns on Four Red-Zone Visits

Minnesota reached the red zone four times and scored a touchdown on every visit. Washington entered the red zone twice but came away without points.

The difference meant Minnesota did not need high passing yardage to build its lead. Its offense finished drives, while Washington lost possession on downs and through an interception.

A 3-0 Turnover Margin

Minnesota did not commit a turnover. Washington threw two interceptions and lost one fumble.

Van Ginkel’s interception led to a field goal, while Smith’s interception set up Oliver’s second touchdown. Hargrave’s fourth-quarter recovery ended Washington’s final scoring threat.

Minnesota’s 19-Play Possession

The 98-yard touchdown drive took 12:01 off the clock. It began at Minnesota’s 2 and ended with Mason’s eight-yard run.

That possession changed the structure of the first half. Washington’s offense spent most of the second quarter on the sideline and had fewer opportunities to answer the early deficit.

Control on Third and Fourth Down

Minnesota converted six of 11 third downs and both fourth-down attempts. Washington converted three of 10 third downs and one of three fourth downs.

Those results helped Minnesota run 61 plays and earn 25 first downs. They also allowed the Vikings to continue drives without relying on long gains.

Washington Commanders Full Box Score

Washington gained 206 total yards. Its running backs found space on several early carries, but the passing game finished with 108 gross yards, two interceptions, and two sacks allowed.

Washington Passing

Daniels completed nine passes before leaving in the third quarter. Mariota completed two passes after entering but also threw an interception and lost a fumble.

Washington Rushing

Rodriguez led Washington in rushing. The Commanders averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a team, but their rushing production did not produce a touchdown.

Washington Receiving

McLaurin led Washington with 41 receiving yards. Samuel recorded the most receptions, but Minnesota kept each of his four catches below seven yards on average.

Washington Defense

The table lists Washington’s eight leading tacklers. Bobby Wagner finished with twice as many combined tackles as every teammate except Quan Martin.

Washington recorded four sacks, but Minnesota continued to move the chains through its running game and short passing plays.

Washington Kicking

Washington did not attempt a field goal or extra point.

Washington Returns

Samuel handled Washington’s kickoff returns. Minnesota punted only once, and Lane called for a fair catch.

Washington Punting

Way punted three times, including one kick that placed Minnesota inside its own 20-yard line.

Minnesota Vikings Full Box Score

Minnesota balanced 151 net passing yards with 162 rushing yards. McCarthy threw three touchdowns, and four Vikings combined for 34 rushing attempts.

Minnesota Passing

McCarthy completed 69.6 percent of his passes and finished with a 129.2 passer rating. He threw touchdowns to Oliver twice and Hockenson once.

Minnesota Rushing

Jones led all players with 76 rushing yards. Mason added 52 yards and finished Minnesota’s 98-yard second-quarter drive with the game’s only rushing touchdown.

Minnesota Receiving

Addison led Minnesota in catches and receiving yards. Oliver and Hockenson combined for three touchdown receptions despite totaling only four catches.

Minnesota Defense

Minnesota’s defense held Washington to 12 first downs and recorded three takeaways. Blake Cashman led the Vikings with 10 combined tackles.

Van Ginkel and Smith intercepted Washington’s two quarterbacks. Hargrave produced the third takeaway by forcing and recovering Mariota’s fumble.

Minnesota Kicking

Reichard converted every kick, including a 45-yard field goal after Van Ginkel’s interception.

Minnesota Returns

Price’s 35-yard opening kickoff return gave Minnesota possession at its own 39. The Vikings scored seven plays later.

Minnesota Punting

Minnesota punted only once because four drives ended in touchdowns, one produced a field goal, and the final possession ended with the clock expiring.

Top Performers

J.J. McCarthy

McCarthy gave Minnesota an early lead by completing all four passes on the opening possession, including the 18-yard touchdown to Oliver. He later added scoring throws to Oliver and Hockenson without giving Washington a turnover. His 163 passing yards were modest because Minnesota ran for 162 yards and played with a lead.

The key was efficiency in scoring areas. McCarthy finished with three touchdowns on 23 attempts, converted important third downs, and helped Minnesota score touchdowns on all four red-zone visits.

Josh Oliver

Oliver caught only two passes, but both ended in the end zone. His 18-yard reception completed Minnesota’s opening drive and forced Washington to play from behind. His six-yard score in the third quarter came immediately after Harrison Smith’s interception and widened the margin to 24-0.

Oliver’s two targets produced 24 yards and 12 points before extra points. That made him the direct finisher to two possessions created by different parts of Minnesota’s game, one from the opening offense and one after a defensive takeaway.

Andrew Van Ginkel

Van Ginkel ended Washington’s best second-half scoring chance. On fourth-and-3 from the Minnesota 19, he intercepted Daniels at the 30 and returned the ball 40 yards to the Washington 30. Minnesota turned that field position into a 45-yard field goal. He also recorded four tackles and two pass defenses.

The interception mattered beyond the change of possession because Washington had already reached the red zone and still trailed by only 14 points. The play removed that chance and started Minnesota’s 10-point third quarter.

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez supplied Washington’s most consistent rushing production. He carried 10 times for 52 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt, and gained a team-long 15 yards on one run. His work helped Washington reach the Minnesota 2 on its first drive and supported another red-zone trip in the third quarter.

The Commanders did not turn either visit into points, so his rushing output did not change the score. Still, his 52 yards accounted for nearly half of Washington’s 107 rushing yards and kept several drives ahead of the chains.

Bobby Wagner

Wagner led all defenders with 16 combined tackles and added one sack. His tackle total reflected Minnesota’s 34 rushing attempts and its ability to sustain long possessions. He made stops across the field, including a sack near the goal line during Minnesota’s fourth-quarter scoring series.

Washington’s defense still faced 61 plays and 25 first downs because Minnesota repeatedly converted third and fourth downs. Wagner limited several individual gains, but the Vikings kept possession through balanced rushing, short completions, and success in the red zone.

Starting Lineups

The official starters showed Washington opening with three wide receivers, while Minnesota listed Hockenson at tight end and three starting receivers.

Offensive Starters

Washington Defensive Starters

Minnesota Defensive Starters

Injury Report

Washington entered with offensive tackle George Fant and linebacker Drake Jackson ruled out. Several questionable players, including Wagner, Brown, Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson, were active.

Washington Injuries

Daniels re-aggravated his left elbow while trying to make a tackle after Van Ginkel’s interception. Ertz injured his right knee on an incomplete third-quarter pass and did not return.

Minnesota Injuries

Minnesota’s two questionable offensive linemen started. The Vikings completed the game without losing a starting quarterback or primary skill-position player.

Season Series and Head-to-Head History

Minnesota entered the matchup with a 15-13 overall record against Washington, including postseason games. The Week 14 victory increased the Vikings’ advantage to 16-13 and extended their series-winning streak to four games.

The teams’ previous meeting came on November 6, 2022. Minnesota won 20-17 in Washington after scoring 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

NFC Conference Standings Context

The result kept Minnesota mathematically alive in the NFC playoff race for another week. Washington’s loss officially removed the Commanders from postseason contention.

Minnesota remained behind the other three NFC North teams. Washington still had four NFC East games remaining but could no longer qualify for the playoffs.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

FOX carried the game nationally in the teams’ regional markets. Adam Amin called the play-by-play, Drew Brees provided analysis, and Kristina Pink reported from the sideline.

Conclusion

Minnesota’s victory stopped a four-game losing streak and allowed the team to remain in the NFC playoff race for at least one more week. The Vikings next travelled to Dallas for a Sunday night game, where they needed another win to avoid elimination and continue building around McCarthy.

Washington left Minnesota with its eighth straight loss and no remaining path to the postseason. The Commanders next faced the New York Giants, beginning a run of four consecutive NFC East games. Daniels’ elbow and Ertz’s knee became the main injury concerns, while the coaching staff had to decide how to manage the quarterback position during the final weeks of an eliminated season.

For more match updates, read: Las Vegas Raiders vs Seahawks Match Player Stats

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between the Commanders and Vikings?

The Vikings defeated the Commanders 31-0. Minnesota scored in all four quarters and recorded its first shutout directly after being shut out by Seattle.

Who led the game in passing yards?

J.J. McCarthy led the game with 163 passing yards. He completed 16 of 23 attempts, threw three touchdowns, and did not commit a turnover.

What were the key Washington Commanders vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats?

Minnesota gained 313 yards, rushed for 162, and forced three turnovers. Washington produced 206 yards and failed to score on two red-zone possessions.

Who scored Minnesota’s touchdowns?

Josh Oliver caught two touchdown passes, Jordan Mason scored on an eight-yard run, and T.J. Hockenson caught a two-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass.

What happened to Jayden Daniels?

Daniels re-injured his left elbow while attempting a tackle following Andrew Van Ginkel’s third-quarter interception. Marcus Mariota replaced him for the remaining possessions.

How many turnovers did Washington commit?

Washington committed three turnovers. Daniels and Mariota each threw an interception, while Mariota also lost a fourth-quarter fumble forced and recovered by Javon Hargrave.

When and where was the game played?

The game was played on December 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. FOX televised the Week 14 matchup at 1:00 p.m. ET.