When in doubt, give Justin Jefferson an opportunity to make a play.

Displaying the poise of a veteran, undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer entered the game off the bench Sunday at MetLife Stadium and helped Minnesota stay even-keeled and prevail over the Giants, 16-13.

His performance showcased a steady hand and a precision pass to Jefferson in a gotta-have-it moment.

Tied at 13 and dealing with a third-and-17 from the Vikings 24 with 9:44 remaining, Brosmer connected with the phenom WR in a beautiful manner, striking a pinpoint throw into a compact space that Jefferson reeled in along the left sideline, dragging his toes in bounds as his body stretched out for a 21-yard gain.

The effort raised Jefferson's Week 16 receiving line to six catches and 85 yards, his most in the former category since Oct. 23 and the latter since Oct. 5, and effectively inspired Minnesota's third straight win.

"I told Max, if you felt like there was grass out there, I just want you to lay it out there and let him go get it," Head Coach Kevin O'Connell explained at his postgame press conference, noting "Jets" had the option to break inside or outside or take his route vertically based on what the Giants presented. "I thought it was a phenomenal throw to get it up and over the flat defender. It was kind of a unique inverted 2-deep coverage, so the corner's got the half — we could dive all the way in on that if we had a white board — but what it was is Max making a big-time throw and giving Justin Jefferson a chance.

"After the year and the leadership [Justin has] shown, that play will probably not be remembered with some of the five sacks [by Minnesota's defense today] or some of the plays that were made [elsewhere]," O'Connell continued. "But I thought that was as [much of a] game-[winning play] from a player today, and it was Justin Jefferson in a huge moment to make the play, and Max stepping in — how about that?"

O'Connell praised Brosmer for "functioning at a high level" and "running the show" in a windy setting. Jefferson liked Brosmer's readiness and, from his vantage point, the backup threw a "perfect ball."

Brosmer recounted it as a "him-or-nobody throw," reinforcing the placement was beyond satisfactory.

"We don't really work that play, that throw, too often in practice," Jefferson said. "For him to throw that type of ball in that type of situation on third down, to continue the drive — very, very big — huge throw."

With called runs on seven of their next 10 snaps, the Vikings shuffled into chip-shot field goal range for Will Reichard and let the All-Pro-caliber kicker drill his third FG of the afternoon to move ahead by three.

All told, Brosmer finding Jefferson for the longest play from scrimmage was the sparkplug of a 14-play, 57-yard sequence that salvaged Minnesota's still-perfect record in December (8-0 since 2024) on a day that was blemished by injuries to McCarthy, as well as center Ryan Kelly and running back Jordan Mason.

Kelly exited the action in concussion protocol, and Mason hurt his ankle on the club's opening possession. Fellow RB Aaron Jones, Sr., was dinged with an ankle injury around the same time, but he was able to return to the contest and fought for 85 yards on 21 rush attempts, a single-game high for him in 2025.

Second-year lineman Michael Jurgens replaced Kelly, one of Minnesota's best players the past few weeks, according to O'Connell, and saw extensive work for the fifth time this year. Jurgens was tasked with anchoring an offensive line that featured Justin Skule at LT because Christian Darrisaw was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday and banged-up RT Brian O'Neill, who suited up in full after a heel injury limited his ability to practice during the week. Ultimately, the makeshift unit created enough room to compile 114 yards on the ground and generally fended off a pass rush capable of destructing offenses.

Jones thrived when the team needed him. He breezed into the second half, amidst a lingering sense of uneasiness, with a 15-yard dash around the left end, and he eventually sealed the win with a burst for 9 into the teeth of the defense on third-and-8 with 1:49 to play and New York out of ways to halt the clock.

Afterward, O'Connell described Jones as an "absolute warrior." Similarly, the coach lauded Jefferson's determination on a couple of early third-down passes where he reeled in a throw well short of the sticks but battled for yards after the catch and first downs: "His greatness was on full display," O'Connell said.

As for Brosmer, he entered the game in relief of J.J. McCarthy during the final minute of the first half. The young starter sustained a right-hand injury; his departing snap was a sack-fumble that resulted in New York's lone touchdown. O'Connell said the injury apparently happened earlier and wasn't due to that hit.

McCarthy connected on 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and he rushed twice for 20. He was intercepted in the first quarter by Giants CB Paulson Adebo when a sideline throw slipped through Jalen Nailor's grasp.

Later in the first half, another pass from McCarthy to Nailor ricocheted off the receiver's hands and it was picked off in stride by Giants S Jevon Holland, who ran it back 96 yards for a touchdown. The turnover was wiped off the board, though, because New York's top defensive rookie Abdul Carter lined up offsides.

McCarthy was sacked on the next snap, prompting Reichard's second FG and a 6-3 advantage.

The high point for Minnesota's offense overall transpired after CB Byron Murphy, Jr., nabbed his first interception of the year off a deflection with three minutes and change before the intermission. Starting at the Giants 16, Jones muscled for 7 and then answered a holding on Minnesota with a catch-and-run for 7, setting up a third-and-6 from the Giants 12. McCarthy — with a key block from Jones — did the rest with his legs, scrambling to score his fourth rushing TD of the season and extending the lead to 13-3.

Minnesota's defense forced a three-and-out on the subsequent series and then things went south.

With 53 seconds to go in the half, Jones began the possession with a 6-yard rush. On the second play of the sequence — and time trickling under 25 seconds — McCarthy looked to his left and intended to pass to Jefferson on a quick screen. Instead, he clutched the ball as a defender jumped into the throwing window and disrupted his timing, and in a blink, the play devolved into an unmitigated disaster.

Flying untouched off the edge, Giants sack leader Brian Burns smacked into McCarthy and caused a nightmare fumble. It was scooped up and returned 27 yards for a TD by former Minnesota Gophers S Tyler Nubin. O'Connell shared that McCarthy was unable to grip the ball and fire it out quickly — and suddenly, it was 13-10.

"It is unfortunate," O'Connell said of McCarthy's injury, the QB's third this season after a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 and a concussion in Week 12. "He's looked like he's really found a place of decisiveness, ownership of the offense. … So, yeah, it's a bummer just because I'm having a blast coaching him and seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop. I've been so proud of the way he's — really these last few weeks — come back and just really shown some growth. So you'd love to have him; love to have him for two straight home games to finish, and we'll see where his hand's at, and if he has the ability to play for us again [this season]. I sure hope so."

Despite the adversity, the Vikings didn't flinch with Brosmer under center.

He calmly completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards — none as special as his laser to Jefferson — and he linked his composure to the confidence that was passed along to him from his teammates and coaches.

"You walk into a huddle with a bunch of vets like that who are just like, 'Everything's all right,' and the first couple of plays, B.O. (Brian O'Neill) was like, 'Hey, you don't [have] to say it (the play call) so loud, they (the defense) might be able to hear you,' and I'm so used to yelling in the huddle, and he's like 'You're good!' " Brosmer reflected. "We calmed down a little bit in the huddle, and, again, that goes back to the leadership in the huddle and leading together — not just one guy leading, but leading together."

It was a clear day of growth for the 24-year-old UDFA who struggled last month at Seattle with four interceptions in his starting debut but has showcased a promising skill set since his unheralded arrival.

"You have to continue to build on the positives and fix the fixables," Brosmer said. "It's being comfortable and being prepared in the moment, and that's all that NFL football is. When you're prepared with the play and the defensive structure … being able to step in that huddle with confidence and being able to execute the plays called in an efficient fashion, and I thought the guys did really good today."

Added Jefferson: "Him being in that type of position, him being in that spot, having to come in and replace J.J. and lead us to victory — that's something that's big. That's very hard to do in this league."

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

See the Vikings 2026 Opponents.

Check out the Vikings 2026 Draft Picks.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.