The second week of the 2025 NFL season brought forth a scoring surge, with the 32 teams totaling 797 points combined, the most in Week 2 since 2023 (796 total points). Additionally, the first two weeks of this season racked up 1,458 combined points, marking the third most in a two-week span to start a season since 2020 (1,611 points).

Unfortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, scoring has been at a premium, as the Vikings are currently tied for 27th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 16.5 per contest. Minnesota's latest performance included being limited in a 22-6 home loss against Atlanta on Sunday Night Football.

There are plenty of lessons to be learned across all three phases for Minnesota (1-1) after just two games. The Vikings will be forced to adjust quickly and accordingly, though, especially with several key starters currently battling injuries/illnesses.

The latest injury wave included QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle sprain) and RB Aaron Jones, Sr. (hamstring), as well as left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly (both in concussion protocol), and outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy (knee).

Newcomers Carson Wentz and Jordan Mason preparing to start against Cincinnati in Week 3. The Vikings are already without Blake Cashman, Harrison Smith, Jeff Okudah and Andrew Van Ginkel on the defensive side of the ball and Ty Chandler and Christian Darrisaw on the offensive side.

Sunday's loss caused the Vikings to drop in this week's power rankings. Here's a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 3 (scroll below for more on Minnesota's scoring output):

No. 19 (down 8 spots): Eric Edholm, **NFL.com**

It hurts to write this, but J.J. McCarthy has played poorly in seven of his eight quarters – and now he's considered week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain, per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The fourth quarter in Chicago was tremendous, but the other seven quarters have included three INTs (one pick six), nine sacks and a fumble lost. It has been a wild ride with McCarthy, and it's tough to know how severe the injury is now, but it's clear things haven't gone according to plan early. The Vikings will have a chance in the Backup Bowl, with Carson Wentz possibly facing Jake Browning, but this injury could be a huge blow to Minnesota. The offense already was swimming upstream without Jordan Addison and Christian Darrisaw, and now McCarthy's learning curve will steepen the more time he misses. Another issue: the run defense. It started going south on the first play against the Falcons and never really improved.

No. 19 (down 6 spots): Maurice Moton, **Bleacher Report**

J.J. McCarthy's buzz fizzled out as the Atlanta Falcons defense made life difficult for him in the pocket.

In two starts, McCarthy has thrown for two touchdowns and three interceptions with a 58 percent completion rate. He's also rushed for 50 yards and a score. And now he'll likely sit out Week 3 with an ankle injury he picked up in the loss to the Falcons.

The 22-year-old won't be lightning in a bottle on the pro level even once he does return. That said, keep his struggles in perspective; he's only made two starts. The Vikings supporting cast will need to elevate him in an up-and-down season.

No. 17 (down 3 spots): Pete Prisco, **CBS Sports**

J.J. McCarthy struggled in the loss to the Falcons, and now he is out for a bit with a high ankle sprain. It's Carson Wentz time.

No. 22 (down 7 spots): Nate Davis, **USA Today**

With apologies to injured J.J. McCarthy, here's a wild stat − backup Carson Wentz is likely about to become the first quarterback to start for six different teams over a six-season stretch in the Super Bowl era, which dates to 1966.

No. 22 (down 10 spots): Josh Kendall, **The Athletic**

J.J. McCarthy has taken the second-most time to throw of any QB in the league, taking three seconds to get the ball out, and he was sacked six times because of it on Sunday night. McCarthy's EPA per dropback (minus-0.54) is the worst in the league by a good distance.

No. 16 (down 5 spots): Conor Orr, **Sports Illustrated**

While J.J. McCarthy's high ankle sprain is an unfortunate setback, it could be a good time for the rookie to step back after two games in the fire and dissect Chicago and Atlanta. This gives him a Bryce Young-type reset without the high-profile embarrassment of being benched or removed from a game. Meanwhile, is anyone else kind of excited to see Carson Wentz in a Kevin O'Connell offense?

No. 17 (down 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer, **Sporting News**

Perhaps the Vikings were worn down by the big comeback effort on the road in Week 1 and J.J. McCarthy figures to be a bit of a roller-coaster in his first season as the starting QB. Minnesota needs to take advantage of its defensive takeaways by not giving the ball away so much.

No. 16 (down 8 spots): Frank Schwab, **Yahoo! Sports**

The J.J. McCarthy ankle injury isn't good for the Vikings. But it gives him a break after a rough Week 2 (and three quarters of a bad Week 1). The only issue: What happens if Carson Wentz plays well with McCarthy out?

More on Minnesota's scoring output

Sunday's game was just the third time the Vikings didn't reach the end zone at U.S. Bank Stadium since the venue opened in 2016. The other two games were in Week 11 of the 2022 season (40-3 loss vs. Dallas) and Week 15 of the 2016 season (34-6 loss vs. Indianapolis).

It also marked the eighth time in franchise history in which Minnesota hasn't scored a touchdown in the first half of either of its first two games to open a season. The most recent case was in 2008, when the Vikings scored three first-half points at Green Bay in Week 1 on Monday Night Football (lost 24-19), followed by a nine-point first half against Indianapolis in Week 2 (lost 18-15). Here are the other six instances and their outcomes:

– 2001: Zero points vs. Carolina in Week 1 (lost 24-13); three points at Chicago in

Week 2 (lost 17-10).

– 2000: Nine points vs. Chicago in Week 1 (won 30-27); three points vs. Miami in

Week 2 (won 13-7).

– 1993: Zero points at Los Angeles Raiders in Week 1 (lost 24-7); three points vs. Chicago in Week 2 (won 10-7).

– 1984: Three points vs. San Diego Chargers in Week 1 (lost 42-13); three points at

Philadelphia in Week 2 (lost 19-17).

– 1967: Zero points vs. San Francisco in Week 1 (lost 27-21); zero points at

Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 (lost 39-3).

– 1962: Zero points at Green Bay in Week 1 (lost 34-7); zero points vs. Baltimore Colts

in Week 2 (lost 34-7).

The Vikings currently have played four consecutive games (including the postseason) without scoring a first-half touchdown, the most in franchise history since between 2007 and 2008. Minnesota went five straight games without a TD in the first half from Week 15 of the 2007 season to Week 2 of the 2008 campaign, going 1-4 in that stretch.

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