Max Brosmer Shines as Vikings Overcome Giants Amid McCarthy’s Injury
The Minnesota Vikings emerged victorious against the New York Giants on Sunday, securing their third consecutive win in a game that was far from aesthetically pleasing. While the victory keeps their hopes alive for a season-ending record above .500, the match was marred by the injury of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who exited at halftime due to a hand injury, leaving him sidelined for the entire second half. Enter Max Brosmer, stepping up in relief and steering the Vikings to maintain their winning streak.
Injury Impact on the Vikings’ Offense
McCarthy’s injury was a significant turning point. Prior to his exit, he struggled on the field, culminating in a disappointing 45.7 PFF grade, which was among the lowest on the offense, overshadowed only by Jalen Nailor and T.J. Hockenson. Brosmer’s entrance, however, brought a breath of fresh air. Finishing the game with a solid 77.8 PFF grade, he demonstrated marked improvement from his previous outing as a starter in Seattle.
Vikings Offensive Snap Counts
In total, the Vikings had 61 offensive snaps against the Giants, highlighting the players’ contributions:
LG Donovan Jackson: 61
RT Brian O’Neill: 61
RG Will Fries: 61
LT Justin Skule: 61
WR Justin Jefferson: 58
TE T.J. Hockenson: 46
WR Jordan Addison: 41
C Michael Jurgens: 40
RB Aaron Jones: 39
WR Jalen Nailor: 38
QB J.J. McCarthy: 32
TE Josh Oliver: 32
QB Max Brosmer: 29
C Ryan Kelly: 21
FB C.J. Ham: 20
TE Ben Sims: 8
RB Zavier Scott: 8
WR Tai Felton: 7
RB Jordan Mason: 4
TE Ben Yurosek: 2
RB Myles Price: 2
In an effort to bolster McCarthy’s performance, the Vikings had initially implemented larger formations, which had seemingly paid off during his best game yet. However, the sudden reliance on Brosmer meant adjustments were necessary. The Vikings faced a setback with Jordan Mason sustaining an early injury, forcing them to lean heavily on Aaron Jones in the run game. Rookie receiver Tai Felton also saw an uptick in playing time, while fullback C.J. Ham played a pivotal role in supporting Jones.
Top Offensive Performers
The offensive landscape was shaped by standout performances, as illustrated by the top five PFF grades among players who logged at least 20 snaps:
Justin Skule: 86.6
Justin Jefferson: 85.3
Max Brosmer: 77.8
Aaron Jones: 74.3
Josh Oliver: 73.0
Skule, starting in place of the injured Christian Darrisaw, excelled in his role, allowing just one pressure throughout the game. Jefferson’s performance also shone brightly, marking him as one of the most impactful players on the field. Brosmer’s emergence as a reliable backup provides a promising glimpse into his potential, particularly after a challenging debut just weeks prior.
Defensive Snap Counts and Standouts
On the defensive side, the Vikings played 56 snaps, with primary contributors including:
CB Byron Murphy: 56
LB Eric Wilson: 56
LB Blake Cashman: 56
S Harrison Smith: 56
DT Jalen Redmond: 55
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel: 54
CB Isaiah Rodgers: 51
DT Jonathan Allen: 49
S Jay Ward: 44
OLB Dallas Turner: 37
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez: 32
DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: 24
S Theo Jackson: 21
CB Fabian Moreau: 14
DT Elijah Williams: 10
LB Ivan Pace Jr.: 1
Dallas Turner stepped up in the wake of Jonathan Greenard’s injury, taking on a significant workload. With the absence of Javon Hargrave, a rotation of players including Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins was necessary to maintain defensive integrity. Additionally, Jay Ward capitalized on Josh Metellus’ season-ending injury, recording a season-high 44 snaps.
Defensive PFF Grades
The defensive prowess of the Vikings was reflected in the PFF grades of their top performers:
Isaiah Rodgers: 82.5
Blake Cashman: 72.3
Andrew Van Ginkel: 70.9
Jay Ward: 68.3
Byron Murphy: 64.8
Rodgers led the charge with the highest defensive grade, while the secondary showcased its strength by occupying three of the top five spots. Cashman rebounded from a prior lackluster performance against Dallas, demonstrating resilience and competence. However, Turner and Wilson struggled with lower grades, indicating areas for improvement moving forward.
As the Vikings continue their late-season push, the emergence of players like Brosmer and the resilience of their defense will be crucial for their aspirations in the coming weeks.
