Football fans always want to know who played well and who struggled in a big game. If you are searching for “Minnesota Vikings vs New York Giants match player stats,” you are in the right place. This article looks closely at the Week 16 game between these two teams, played on December 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium. We will go through every important number, from passing yards to sacks, so you get a full and clear picture of what happened on the field.
Quick Game Summary
The Minnesota Vikings beat the New York Giants by a score of 16-13. It was not a game full of touchdowns or big passing plays. Instead, it was a defensive battle where running the ball and stopping the run mattered more than anything else. Backup quarterback Max Brosmer helped the Vikings win their third game in a row after starter J.J. McCarthy exited the game with an injury.
Minnesota scored all 16 points without a single passing touchdown and still controlled the game on the ground, on third down, and in field position. The Giants finished with only 13 net passing yards, the lowest total of their entire season, and they failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second straight meeting against Brian Flores’ Vikings defense.
This loss meant the Giants (2-13) lost their ninth game in a row, and it was their fifth loss since Mike Kafka took over as interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired on November 10. On the other side, the win pushed Minnesota’s record forward and kept their small winning streak alive heading into the final stretch of the season.
What Happened to the Starting Quarterbacks
One of the biggest storylines of this game was the quarterback situation for both teams.
For the Vikings, J.J. McCarthy started the game and even ran for a touchdown early on. But things changed quickly. A strip sack led to a turnover that the Giants returned for their own touchdown, and McCarthy left the game before halftime with a hand injury. This forced backup Max Brosmer into action. Brosmer did not need to do anything flashy. He handled all three of Minnesota’s second-half possessions and helped the offense hold onto a small lead until the final whistle.
For the Giants, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had a rough day. His first pass attempt did not come until there was only 1:44 left in the second quarter, which shows how much the Giants leaned on the run early. By the end of the game, Dart had completed 7 of 13 passes for just 33 yards, with one interception. That interception came when his throw bounced off tight end Theo Johnson’s hands and landed right in the arms of Vikings defender Byron Murphy. On top of the slow passing game, Dart was sacked five times, which badly hurt New York’s overall yardage numbers.
Minnesota Vikings Player Stats
Passing
Minnesota did not rely on a big passing day to win this game. The Vikings finished with 160 gross passing yards, but after sacks were counted, their net passing total dropped to 126 yards. Neither McCarthy nor Brosmer threw a touchdown pass in this game, but the passing attack did enough to move the chains and set up scoring chances for the offense.
Rushing
Running the ball was the heart of Minnesota’s game plan, and it worked well.
Aaron Jones led the Vikings’ rushing attack with 21 carries for 85 yards. This was actually a season-high number of carries for Jones in that game, and it showed how much the coaching staff trusted him to control the clock and wear down the Giants’ defense. Jones has been a steady and dependable piece of Minnesota’s offense all season, and this game was another example of him stepping up when the team needed him most.
Receiving
Even with a limited passing game, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson still made his mark. Jefferson caught 6 passes on 8 targets for 85 yards. His performance made up more than half of Minnesota’s total receiving yardage for the entire game. This shows just how important Jefferson is to the Vikings offense, even on a day when the passing numbers overall were low. When the team needed a reliable target, Jefferson was the man they turned to.
New York Giants Player Stats
Passing
As mentioned earlier, this was a very tough day through the air for New York. Jaxson Dart completed 7 of 13 passes for only 33 yards and threw one interception. The Giants’ gross passing yards for the game were just 33, and after five sacks, their net passing total fell all the way down to 13 yards. That is an extremely low number for an NFL game, and it explains why New York struggled so much to move the ball and score points.
Rushing
The Giants tried to lean on their running game more than usual, especially early in the game while Dart was kept out of obvious passing situations. Tyrone Tracy carried much of that load, though the Giants’ ground game still could not match the production Minnesota got from Aaron Jones.
Receiving
With such a low number of completed passes, no Giants receiver had a standout day. The receiving numbers were spread thin across a few players, none of them reaching big totals, which matched the overall struggles of the Giants’ passing attack in this game.
Special Teams and Kicking
Kicker Ben Saul made two field goals in his debut for the Giants. This was one of the few bright spots for New York’s offense, since the team could not find the end zone through normal drives. Without Saul’s field goals, the scoreline would have looked even worse for the Giants.
Defense Stats
Defense truly decided this game, and both teams had standout performers.
For Minnesota, the pass rush was a major factor in shutting down the Giants’ offense. The Vikings sacked Dart five times for a total of 20 yards lost. Andrew Van Ginkel came up with a big sack on fourth down with about two minutes left in the game, helping seal the win for Minnesota.
On the Giants’ side, edge rusher Brian Burns had an excellent individual game. Burns reached 15 defensive sacks for the 2025 season, which was the first time in his career he hit that mark in a single season. He also reached 20 tackles for loss on the season, another career first for him. Chauncey Golston also had a strong day, setting a new career high with 3 tackles for loss in this game alone. Even though the Giants lost, their defensive front showed real fight and talent.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
A few plays really stood out and decided how this game went:
- J.J. McCarthy’s rushing touchdown early in the game gave the Vikings a fast start.
- A strip sack turned into a Giants defensive touchdown, which briefly gave New York life and forced McCarthy out of the game with a hand injury.
- Max Brosmer coming in and calmly managing the second half was one of the biggest reasons Minnesota held on to win.
- Jaxson Dart’s interception, which deflected off his own tight end’s hands, was a costly turnover for New York.
- The Vikings’ pass rush, especially the sack on fourth down late in the game, sealed the victory for Minnesota.
Each of these moments played a part in shaping a game that ended up being much more about defense and toughness than flashy offense.
A Quick Look at the Vikings vs Giants Rivalry
The Vikings and Giants have played each other 33 times, including 4 playoff games, and Minnesota holds the edge with 20 wins compared to New York’s 13 wins. This history shows that Minnesota has generally had the upper hand in this matchup over the years, and the December 2025 result continued that pattern.
Why This Game Matters
At first glance, a 16-13 score between a 7-win team and a 2-win team might not seem like a big deal. But if you look closer, this game shows a lot about both teams. Minnesota proved that even without a big passing performance, they can win close games with a strong running attack, a reliable star receiver, and a defense that can step up when needed. The Vikings also showed depth at the quarterback position, since Brosmer stepped in and did not let the team down.
For the Giants, this game highlighted ongoing struggles on offense, especially in the passing game. At the same time, it also showed some individual bright spots, like Brian Burns’ strong defensive season and Ben Saul’s solid debut as a kicker. These are small positives the team can build on, even during a difficult season.
Final Thoughts
This Vikings vs Giants matchup was not the most exciting game to watch if you love high scores and long touchdown passes. But for fans who enjoy defense, smart game management, and players stepping up in tough moments, it had plenty to offer. Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson carried Minnesota’s offense, while Brian Burns stood out for a struggling Giants team. In the end, defense and discipline were the difference, and the Vikings walked away with a hard-fought 16-13 win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Minnesota Vikings vs New York Giants game?
The Minnesota Vikings won the game 16-13, played on December 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium.
Who were the top performers in this Vikings vs Giants game?
Aaron Jones led the Vikings with 85 rushing yards on 21 carries, and Justin Jefferson caught 6 passes for 85 yards. For the Giants, Brian Burns stood out on defense, reaching 15 sacks for the season.
Why did the Vikings use a backup quarterback in this game?
Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy left the game before halftime with a hand injury after a strip sack. Backup Max Brosmer then took over and led the team through the rest of the game, including the winning field goal drive.
