SKOL from the Sofa
2025 Week 16 – Vikings at Giants

It was about as ugly as wins get, but no matter how it came, Sunday’s victory over the Giants put another W in the schedule for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings. Three wins in a row against the NFC East, but they came at a cost. To take you through the ups and downs of an expected triumph over the New York Giants, charity lead Reece Field brings you this week’s SKOL from the Sofa.

The Vikings and Giants played a football game that was somehow less eventful than the Vikings’ journey to the Meadowlands. After having to return to Minneapolis and change planes due to a mechanical malfunction, the Vikings would definitely have been hoping for an easier ride than they got in the New York snorefest. However, despite the score, we still have plenty to talk about!

We need to talk about the quarterback room

J. J. McCarthy was making his ninth start for the Vikings out of a possible 33, and as revealed by head coach Kevin O’Connell after the game McCarthy had tried to soldier on like in week two after being hurt in the game. X-rays thankfully came back negative, but should McCarthy not suit up again this season, it’s safe to say he hasn’t put enough on tape to fill the organisation with confidence. 

McCarthy’s injury gave Max Brosmer a shot at redemption. A steady seven completions on nine attempts, including a great throw to the sideline for Justin Jefferson to make a trademark grab – this is much more what we hoped for out of Brosmer.

Still, the lack of evidence provided by McCarthy means the Vikings desperately need a veteran quarterback in the room next season, playing backup or even competing for the starting job. I’ll start the countdown here for the Vikings to sign Jameis Winston: 79 days to go.

Ryan Kelly, it’s time to stop

There’s no doubt the Vikings offensive line has looked its best when Ryan Kelly has been in the game. However, despite his new guardian cap, Kelly left the game in the first half after suffering his third concussion of the season. As great as he is, the veteran center needs to take his future and his family into consideration, protect himself and call it a day.

The Vikings are going to need to be in the market for a new centre. I’m not sold on Michael Jurgens. Blake Brandel was great filling in, but is clearly behind the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon in the pecking order. The Vikings have a boatload of draft picks, and the top centers are forecast to go somewhere in the mid to late second round. Surely a wise investment as this year’s center class looks rather strong.

Special teams needs a change

There have been a lot of inconsistencies with the Minnesota Vikings this season. The offense has had a quarterback carousel and uncharacteristic drops, the defence took an eternity to get going and struggled to force turnovers. The one consistent phase of the team: special teams has been a constant letdown! The kicker and punter have been exceptional, and Miles Price has shown flashes as a returner, but the problem is that it feels like every kick and punt return, we are going to see the Vikings flagged for a bonehead penalty. For me, that’s to do with coaching, and as much as a servant that Matt Daniels has been for this team, we need to move on. 

For the love of the game

Forgive my negativity so far. I’d like to finish by focusing on a positive: Aaron Jones, you are a beautiful human being! After Jordan Mason went down early, Jones knew he was going to have his work cut out for him. The season gone and nothing but pride left to play for, Jones showed what a true professional he is in New York, by carrying his team on his back and the football in his arms.

With 21 carries for 85 yards, it was a performance that truly deserved a touchdown, but it must’ve felt oh so euphoric to be the man who clinched the game. Battered and beaten up for the best part of four quarters, Jones‘ day looked like it was done on the penultimate play. A timeout and a short conversation with KOC later, Jones came back onto the field and sealed the victory with an emphatic first down celebration to boot. A veteran player, an established member of the team, why risk it? Quite simply – the love of the game.

There are two more games left in this car crash of a season, but like Jones, I won’t miss a snap for the love of the game.

Do you want to have your say about an upcoming Vikings game? Is something really grinding your gears? You can have your say right here in Skol from the Sofa. Just drop us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or send us a DM on any of our social media channels.

Images courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings