J.J. McCarthy Has 3 TD Passes To Lead Minnesota Vikings To 31-0 Demolition Of Washington Commanders

J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdown passes as the Minnesota Vikings rolled over the Washington Commanders 31-0 in Minneapolis. The loss was not the worst news for Washington fans on Sunday. In his first game back from a gruesome elbow dislocation, Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels left the game after appearing to re-injure the same elbow in the third quarter. Not long after, Washington Tight End Zach Ertz was carted off with a leg injury. Here is a look at the game.

McCarthy Shines…Finally

McCarthy finally showed the promise that Minnesota saw when drafting him 10th overall in 2024. The Michigan product missed all of last season due to injury and has been inconsistent so far in 2025. McCarthy had his best day as a pro today, completing 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns, and turning in the first turnover-free game of his career.

McCarthy marched the Vikings down the field on the first drive of the game, capping the drive with an 18-yard touchdown strike to Tight End Josh Oliver to give Minnesota an early lead. Daniels looked like he was going to match McCarthy, leading Washington on an 83-yard drive. However, he could not hit Deebo Samuel in the end zone on fourth and goal from the two-yard line, and the Commanders turned the ball over on downs.

McCarthy again led Minnesota’s offense straight down the field, this time with a big help from Running Back Jordan Mason. The Vikings went 98 yards in 19 plays, capped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by Mason, who had eight rushes for 39 yards on the drive.

McCarthy picked up a key first down with his legs early in the drive, scrambling from near his own goal line for seven yards on third and six. He connected on big third and long throws to Jordan Addison (21 yards) and Justin Jefferson (13 yards) later in the drive to move the chains.

Second Verse, Same as the First

After scoring on their first two drives of the first half and going into halftime up 14-0, Minnesota started the second half the same way. Following an interception of Daniels by Viking Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, on which Daniels was injured, the Vikings got a 45-yard Will Reichard field goal to go up 17-0. Washington backup Quarterback Marcus Mariota then threw another pick on the following drive, this one to Safety Harrison Smith.

McCarthy would capitalize on the turnover four plays later with a second touchdown pass to Oliver, this time from six yards out. He threw his third touchdown of the game on the first drive of the fourth quarter, hitting tight end T.J. Hockenson from two yards out. Addison led Minnesota receivers with 4 catches for 62 yards. Aaron Jones led the ground game with 14 rushes for 76 yards.

Minnesota Defense Smothers Washington’s Offense

The Vikings held the Commanders to just 206 total yards on the day. Blake Cashman led the defense with 10 total tackles, and Eric Wilson and Jalen Redmond both recorded sacks. Nose Tackle Javon Hargrave forced a Mariota fumble on Washington’s final drive and also had the recovery. Commander quarterbacks were only able to muster 99 yards passing.

More Than a Loss For the Commanders

While Daniels could have returned to the game, Coach Dan Quinn held him out to avoid further aggravating the elbow injury in the lopsided game. Daniels finished 9-of-20 for just 78 yards and one interception after missing the team’s last three games. Ertz’s injury appears much more serious, as it is thought that he has a torn ACL. He was limited to just one catch for 11 yards. Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the Washington ground game with 10 rushes for 52 yards. Terry McLaurin topped the Commanders’ receivers with 41 yards on three catches.

Washington did manage to get to McCarthy four times. Bobby Wagner, who led the defense with 16 tackles, had one of those sacks. Von Miller, Daron Payne, and Will Harris had the other sacks. The Commanders’ defense could not get off the field, allowing the Vikings to convert 54.5% of their third-down plays.

What’s Next For Both Teams?

The win takes Minnesota to 5-8 on the season. They will travel to Dallas next weekend for a Sunday night matchup against the Cowboys (6-6-1). Washington (3-10) will head to East Rutherford, New Jersey, next Sunday for a divisional matchup against the New York Giants (2-11).