EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings (4-8) are at a crossroads.

Some teams in the same spot have pointed fingers and withered. Others have banded together and pushed through frustration with the foresight that a harvest follows a drought. Minnesota's head coach recognized the present as "troubling, troubling times" but offered profuse optimism in staff and players.

"I'm very fortunate that I can trust in our guys and our coaches and what's been built here," Kevin O'Connell said this week about the culture. "It's not a matter of staying the course; it's a matter of improvement and altering the course of where we're at, regardless of what that means for our season (or) into the future … It's about trying to go 1-0 this week. And if you've ever understood or questioned why a cliché like that is used, we're in a moment where it matters more so now than ever because it's not 1-0 to win five in a row or nine in a row, it's 1-0 to go 1-0, and that's where we're at right now."

O'Connell on Friday ruled out DL Levi Drake Rodriguez and S Theo Jackson ahead of Sunday's game at U.S. Bank Stadium against Washington (3-9). He listed LT Christian Darrisaw (knee) and LG Donovan Jackson (ankle) as questionable.

Running back Ty Chandler, whose 21-day evaluation window opened this week in his process of returning from Injured Reserve, also was listed as questionable.

Vikings Uniform

Minnesota will be outfitted in its typical home uniform set, featuring purple jerseys and white pants.

3 Vikings Storylines

1. McCarthy's final five

Washington Head Coach Dan Quinn's commencement speech at his alma mater, Salisbury University, went viral this spring. His final remarks to the Division III school were something: "Let it [expletive] rip!"

If you listen closely, those four words – a mindset more than anything else – is what O'Connell wants McCarthy to tap into down the stretch. Don't ruminate on the minutiae, for now. Instead, go play football!

"It's purely about decision making at this point," O'Connell said Wednesday of his messaging to McCarthy. "There'll be time to ultimately fundamentally focus on things and build, continue building, this layer of a foundation that will be important for him into the future. But now it feels like, between – he's got enough experience, he kind of knows a lot of these principles that we've talked about. I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play, but play with an understanding of the decisions that I make with the ball in my hand, the decisions that I make as a passer, and as we've learned [it's] very important as a runner to protect himself and make sure that we can keep him in there.

"I don't want him overthinking or worrying about if the fundamentals need to be changed, if they need to be adjusted; if we need more time on task on that, that's one thing," he added. "But let's just make the throws. Let's just throw and catch. Let's just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan."

And the plan, O'Connell noted, involves not doing things to lose before winning games is even attainable.

McCarthy, by the way, ran for a TD or reached 25 rush yards in each of his first four starts, including striding for a season-high 48 on five carries against Baltimore. His athleticism is key to maximizing his ability, but it can't come at the cost of his availability. McCarthy didn't run at all against Chicago and used his feet just once at Green Bay, scrambling for 10 on a first down with 5:01 left in the game. That play ended badly, though; Packers LB Isaiah McDuffie drilled him, and his helmet forcefully smacked the grass. The QB entered concussion protocol after the game.

Letting it rip, with caution for himself and the sake of possession, must be McCarthy's No. 1 objective.

2. Forging a path forward

Minnesota's turnover margin has regressed from plus-12 in 2024 to minus-15 in 2025.

Since O'Connell's debut 2022 season, the Vikings are 18-2 in games with a positive turnover differential (1-0 in 2025). Comparably, they're 15-2 when the line is even (2-1), but 5-21 on the wrong side of it (1-7).

The regression is catastrophic and maybe the chief reason this season has gone sideways.

Trying to re-center the train on the tracks, so to speak, will entail a simplified version of QB-ing for McCarthy. It demands a fast start, offensively, as well as sustained momentum so the defense avoids a constant state of chasing or playing against a ball-control offense that can afford to play conservatively.

"How we handle these times and how we show the ability to persevere through these times are what the path moving forward will be forged upon," O'Connell told reporters. "We need to all respond the right way, together, and we've got the leadership to do it, we've got the players to do it. Talking about it gets you to a certain point, but then it's about the action plans on the grass to make sure that happens."

When the wheels are spinning and the train is whistling, you'll know it. A main indicator will be Justin Jefferson's resuscitation; McCarthy's passer rating targeting him will be double (47.4 is the lowest rating among QB-receiver duos in 2025, min. 40 targets), and the phenom receiver will be smiling because of it.

Matchup-wise, the Commanders have allowed an NFL-worst 8.2 yards per pass, and 254.9 yards per game to opposing QBs.

Of course, if Quinn's defense is perceived as gettable, O'Connell's offense must be viewed that way, too.

"We're well aware statistically, what it not only looks like on a piece of paper, but what it feels like," O'Connell remarked. "Our pass game has never really existed in a place where it wasn't a Top 10 caliber, you know, in the league. We're not that right now in any way, shape or form. … You have to ask yourself [reflective] questions as far as individual impact players, but then obviously strain those through the lens of 'What do we need to do to make sure the collective group is successful?' "

3. Bright spots for thought

It's easy to get lost in the sauce of negativity.

But did you see Dallas Turner's two strip-sacks in Seattle? How about Eric Wilson's four tackles for losses? And did you miss Will Reichard drilling the second-longest field goal in Lambeau Field history?

A variety of Vikings are brightening an unexpectedly dim season. … Take DL Jalen Redmond, who absolutely deserves a Pro Bowl look – just 19 months after he broke out and excited scouts in the UFL – and Ryan Wright, who has raised his best net punting average to 44.6 yards from 42.5 as a 2022 rookie.

Here are some notes on the first three we mentioned, because, yes, although things are generally bad, appreciating the good is worthwhile. Beginning with Turner, Minnesota's other 2024 first-rounder – picked 17^th overall – leads players 22 years old or younger with 5.5 sacks this season. DL Byron Murphy II (7.0), DL Brandon Dorlus (6.0) and OLB Jared Verse (6.0) are the only "sophomore" defenders with more.

Wilson, 31, is the sweetest surprise. Signed to play a core role on special teams and back up LBs Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, Jr., his second stint in Minnesota is revelatory. Wilson's 14 TFLs are sixth in the NFL, trailing edge rushers Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Brian Burns, Tuli Tuipulotu and Will Anderson, Jr. Displaying a penchant for playmaking, Wilson's top skill in Brian Flores' defense is his blitzing instincts.

According to Next Gen Stats, Wilson's 26.4 percent pressure rate is almost 6% higher than the No. 2 player (min. 50 pass rushes) since Minnesota's Week 6 bye. The guy right behind him? Micah Parsons.

To wrap this section, we'll note Reichard is 21-for-23 on field goal tries this year. His long kick is 62. His streak without a miss is eight. He's accounted for 11.1 percent more of Minnesota's points this season than his first. And he became the NFL's first with four makes from 59-plus yards in a season, which was matched Thursday by Brandon Aubrey.

2 Things 'Bout the Commanders

1. Multi-skilled QB(s)

Silhouettes of Washington's quarterbacks this season are tough to tell apart.

Six-feet-4 inches. Passing clips in the low 60s. A touchdown throw about every 21^st attempt. Identical yards per completion – 11.3. Both are 2^nd overall draft picks and good on their feet.

The key separator might be as simple as age, and thus more juice in one's play style and an experience edge for the other. Also, Jayden Daniels has been more prone to sacks – and Marcus Mariota to interceptions. The former practiced fully for the first time in a while Thursday and is scheduled to start.

Any similarities are surface level, but amusing to consider, and likely helpful for game-planning purposes.

Here's how, at least partly, the Commanders have fallen from upsetting the No. 1-seeded Lions in January playoff action to being all but spurned already from the 2025 postseason:

Daniels has missed three straight games with a dislocated non-throwing elbow after a knee sprain cost him two near the start of the season and a hamstring injury put him on the sideline for another. Overall, Mariota has done a solid job in six starts dispersed over three months – although losses are the denominator – and he played probably his best to date for Washington last Sunday night against Denver.

In that game, a 27-26 loss in overtime to a suffocating defense, Mariota passed for a couple TDs, one pick and 294 yards – his most since threading 304 six years ago at Jacksonville – on a career-high 50 attempts. He added 55 yards rushing on 10 carries and took only two sacks versus a defensive front that has more than anyone (51). ICYMI, Washington lost because a wide-open 2-point try was swatted near the line of scrimmage.

The second-year pro Daniels got off to a semi-efficient start to the slate, throwing seven TDs vs. one interception across four games split up by that sprained knee. His poise early on helped Washington alternate wins and losses, beating the Giants and Chargers by 32 combined points in Weeks 1 and 5 but falling to the Packers and Bears in Weeks 2 and 6 by a 10-point spread. Most recently, Daniels didn't look like his usual dynamic self, accounting for 309 total pass yards and a 1:1 TD-INT ratio in blowouts at Dallas and against Seattle; he injured his elbow in the fourth quarter of the latter game when it was 38-7.

He did run for a TD in each of his past two games and is averaging 43.7 yards on 9.0 totes per game. The Pro Bowl QB and 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year averaged 52.4 on 8.7 during his introductory season.

The superstar of Washington's attack is WR Terry McLaurin. A two-time Pro Bowler, McLaurin has played in five games this season due to injuries and suited up in Week 13 for the first time in more than a month. On a significant pitch count (46 of 90 snaps; 51.1%), "Scary Terry" snatched half of his 14 targets for 96 yards and a score. Despite missing seven games, he is T-6^th in the NFL since '24 with 15 TD catches.

2. Blast from the past

Washington has the grayest roster in the NFL, scaled by average age, at 28.6 years old. Impressively, a handful of the prehistoric (wink, wink) players in the Commanders locker room are big-time contributors.

In 2014, a voter from The Associated Press cast an MVP ballot with Bobby Wagner's name on it. Wagner made 104 tackles in only 11 games that season, leading Seattle and the No. 1-ranked defense to a Super Bowl appearance against New England. That recognition made Wagner, a six-time First-Team All-Pro, the fifth LB this century with a first-place MVP vote, joining Ray Lewis in 2000 (1 vote), Brian Urlacher in 2001 (2), Derrick Brooks in 2002 (1), Lewis again in 2003 (2) and James Harrison in 2008 (3).

Eleven years later, Wagner paces the Commanders "D" and ranks fourth in the NFL with 115 tackles through Week 13. He also has a couple of picks and sacks and five quarterback hits in his 14^th campaign.

Wagner didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a knee injury—back-to-back games in OT, sandwiching an idle week, must toll the body. He was listed as a limited participant Friday and is questionable for Sunday. Still, he's worth the extra text. Wagner is the fourth player 35 or older with 100-plus total tackles, 2-plus INTs and 2-plus sacks in a season, linking him to Gold Jackets Sam Mills (1995) and Lewis (2010), as well as London Fletcher (2012).

Wagner is 107 tackles from overtaking Lewis' all-time record (2,059); he has a bronze bust in his future.

And so do two of his Washington teammates: TE Zach Ertz and OLB Von Miller.

The latter has a strong case to make it in as soon as he is eligible. The No. 2 overall pick in 2011, Miller earned eight Pro Bowl nods over his first nine seasons and is the active leader in sacks, with 134.5. His credentials include the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, three First-Team All-Pro mentions, two Super Bowl wins – he was MVP of SB 50 – and membership on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

Miller, 36, has not been a regular starter since 2022, but he's an X-factor on passing downs. In 2025, he has 5.0 sacks and 10 QB hits – both are second on the Commanders behind Dorance Armstrong, Jr. (5.5), and Jacob Martin (12). His legs looked fresh on a chase-down sack in the fourth quarter against Miami in Spain on Nov. 16.

As for Ertz, there's less certainty about his Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy. Arguing against his Canton worthiness is a fool's errand, though. His rap sheet includes a slew of Pro Bowls and the decisive TD catch in Super Bowl LII, which lifted the Eagles, led by backup Nick Foles, over the juggernaut Patriots and G.O.A.T. QB Tom Brady. The 35-year-old Ertz ranks fifth in history for the most receptions by a tight end (824) and is seventh at his position for catches in the postseason (54). Furthermore, Ertz's longevity – not just the act of playing for a long time but maintaining an elite body of work annually – is attractive.

Seven years ago, Ertz reset the bar for catches in one season by a TE, with 116 via 156 targets. Now, Ertz is Washington's second-leading receiver with 49 grabs for 493 yards and four TDs and is on the verge of surpassing Greg Olsen for sole ownership of the sixth-most 50-catch, 500-yard seasons at his position (9).

It's amazing these three players are well past their primes but playing superiorly to many of their peers.

1 Key Matchup

Vikings run game vs. Commanders front seven

Keeping it brief, since this preview unintentionally became a bit of a beast, the cold hard facts are …

Washington's defense ranks 27^th against the run. Opponents have procured 133.3 rush yards per game and 4.7 a pop. Detroit mashed 226 in Week 10; Chicago slashed 145 in Week 6; and Green Bay gashed the Commanders for 135 in Week 2. The Vikings are 3-2 this season when they cross the century mark.

Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason have averaged a robust 4.5 and 4.7 yards per rush.

Top Quotes of Week 14

Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores on OLB Dallas Turner playing well more consistently

"He's made improvement since he got here. … I think there's a – with young players, everybody wants it right now. And I think if you look at rookies over, I don't know, however much time, it rarely happens that way. But I think the focus is on the five or six guys a year who have big years. But most guys, it takes time. It takes time to learn the defense, to learn techniques and fundamentals, learn the things that you do well individually because I think every player has to play to their strengths. I think Dallas is starting to figure that out. I think he's really working hard at it. And I think it's the splash plays that everybody says, 'OK, now he's starting to figure it out.' But I think it's a lot of the little things that aren't as splashy that he's also doing well. And I think that's where his focus has got to be, because when you do those little things, normally, the big plays show up. And that's really what it's been. I say this – I feel like I say this every year: You have a 10-sack season – that's it. But there's a thousand snaps in the season. So, what'd you do on those other 990 snaps? When you put it in those terms, that's a very small percentage that oftentimes you're judged on. And Dallas is, kind of – those are showing up in a positive way, and we love 'em. But he's doing a lot of the little things well, too. Excited for him to continue to grow and develop. He's still developing; he's still young. But he's certainly moving in the right direction."

Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips on what it takes to be a playoff team in consecutive years

"This is just my opinion, but this league has – whether it's all the coverage, the media coverage, whatever it may be – has gotten to a point where the solution is always just cut bait and blow it up and start new. And I think if you have a good football coach and you know you have a good football coach, that those coaches are going to solve problems and find ways to right the ship. And I believe we have a very good football coach. In fact, I know that. I've worked with a few. How to do it consistently? I think part of it is the culture that you have … [and] the types of players that you bring in. I think [it can be challenging] when there's up and down at the quarterback position, as far as different players playing throughout the year and young players learning and growing. … The team we're about to play (for example), their record isn't looking all that good [compared to] last year (12-5). There's probably a big reason for that. I haven't watched all their games, but I do know that Jayden Daniels is a very good player, and he's been out for a long time. How many games would they have won if he was consistently in the game? So, obviously that position is an important piece. But I do think that good football coaches [are key]. … In the past, I've looked at records from some of the all-time greats, and you look at some years in there where you say, 'Man, in this day and age, they never would have made it.' In this day and age, Tom Landry – we might not even know who he is if you look at his record for the first four or five years of his career. And, obviously, I'm a coach. I'm a little biased, but I do believe in coaching. I do believe that good coaches will right the ship, find solutions, and we'll be right back where we need to be."

From the Inbox | by Craig Peters

How good is Dallas Turner turning out to be?

— Warren

I feel like this is well-timed for multiple reasons, including Turner's first career multi-sack game at Seattle in Week 13. Turner forced fumbles during both of his takedowns of former teammate Sam Darnold in the same venue where he recorded his first career interception as a rookie in 2024.

Vikings Communications on X noted Turner has joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Jared Allen (2008 and 2009 seasons) as the only Vikings to record at least 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and five tackles for loss in a three-game span since 1999.

As mentioned by Flores above, the splash plays are mounting for the 22-year-old with high-end traits that have been hewn through 28 games so far.

I lost count of the number of emails I received about Turner last season. I usually pointed out that he was playing behind two Pro Bowl edge rushers (Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel), as well as a fourth-year pro in Pat Jones II.

Jones departed during free agency; Greenard and Van Ginkel have each missed time this season because of injuries. Turner already has eclipsed his defensive snaps total (300 in 2024 and 518 so far this season).

O'Connell pointed out Friday that, although OLB is the position listed beside Greenard and Van Ginkel on the team's depth chart, there are considerable differences in the roles for each player.

"I think he's learned a lot from guys like Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel — totally different players, but he's had to play both of their spots throughout the year. Those two guys are totally different positions. The instinctual asks of Van Ginkel and the playmaking and versatility and explosion of Jonathan Greenard, he's had to do both of those things, and I think it's been good to see him continue to ascend."

Turner was asked about his development on Thursday during open locker room time at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. He said he's been putting in extra time in the weight room and meeting room "playing the game before the game" as he likes to call it so he can "let it loose on Sundays."

"I've always believed in myself, but of course it's going to be a work in time to get to where anybody would want to be in their career," Turner said. "I don't really want to look at it as a 'Dallas Turner is here now,' or 'He's arrived,' but just another thing to build off … going into the next weeks we have or the next season. I just feel like it's a real snowball effect, week by week, of not progressing too fast or getting too high on myself, and just always being level-headed."

Turner mentioned that Eric Wilson, who has been such a great offseason addition, recently told him, "You never know when the harvest is coming, but the harvest is always coming."

That brings me to a second point I'd like to make: It's too early to make permanent judgement on McCarthy through six starts. There are definitely areas for improvement (he hasn't been shy about saying so) but playing the most complicated position at the sport's highest level certainly requires time on-task in practice and games. Unfortunately, McCarthy didn't get the time on the field as a rookie because of a torn meniscus. He also has had progress this season interrupted by a high-ankle sprain and concussion protocol.

With the Vikings all but eliminated from postseason contention, the big hope for the final five games of the season is for McCarthy to avoid any other injuries and go into the offseason without a significant rehab.

My biggest concern is how the Vikings can keep Jefferson interested in staying in Minnesota during what will be a total rebuild. His prime years are coming up. Can we keep him, or should we seek a trade for many high draft picks?

— Robert K.

Jefferson has been a good citizen in good and challenging times. The Vikings are not where they want to be in the standings, but there are public displays and consistent non-public actions for how much he loves his teammates and wants to do well here.

I don't know that "total rebuild" is how I'd classify this situation, but O'Connell and others have made it clear the current situation is below the standard that has been established.

Jefferson's standard-setting has been incredible when compared to players' first six seasons or players at his age. He wants to keep putting up those numbers, but more importantly, he wants to help the team win.

So much of the conversation before Jefferson's contract extension was whether the Vikings were going to be able to retain him. The team was able to do so, and his deal runs through the 2028 season.

I'm very curious to see how the changes the Vikings are planning to the offense will impact production in the passing game over the final five games of 2025.

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