The Washington Commanders, spiraling with seven straight losses and clinging to faint draft positioning hopes, travel to face the Minnesota Vikings, who have dropped four in a row amid quarterback instability and defensive lapses. Washington’s backup QB Marcus Mariota has stabilized the ship somewhat post-Jayden Daniels’ injury, but their secondary ranks 31st in pass yards allowed (265.8/g). Minnesota welcomes back J.J. McCarthy from concussion protocol, pairing him with elite WR Justin Jefferson to ignite an offense averaging just 20.4 pts/g. This inter-conference matchup at the domed U.S. Bank Stadium could hinge on McCarthy’s rust vs. Washington’s depleted front seven, with both teams desperate for a spark in meaningless late-season tilts.
Venue and Game Details
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415. The fixed-roof stadium seats 66,655 and is renowned for its translucent ETFE roof allowing natural light, plus a vibrant Vikings fanbase in the NFC North’s heart.
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: FOX: Adam Amin, Drew Brees, Kristina Pink (field reporter)
Local radio on BIG 100 (WSH) and KFAN 100.3 (MIN).
Injury Report
Injuries dominate headlines, especially at QB for both sides. Washington’s offense leans on Mariota if Daniels isn’t cleared; Minnesota’s secondary gets healthier but loses depth. Latest from Tuesday, December 2 practice reports:
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Practice Status | Est. Game Status |
| Commanders | Jayden Daniels | QB | Elbow (dislocated) | DNP (Mon/Tue) | Questionable; not cleared for contact after missing 3 games—Mariota likely starter (294 yds, 2 TD last week). |
| Noah Brown | WR | Groin/Knee | Limited (Tue) | Questionable; IR return, adds depth behind Samuel/McLaurin. | |
| John Bates | TE | Groin | Limited | Questionable; blocking TE, impacts run game. | |
| Drake Jackson | DE | Undisclosed | Full (Tue) | Probable; IR return, pass-rush boost (3 sacks). | |
| Vikings | J.J. McCarthy | QB | Concussion | Full (Tue) | Probable; symptom-free, expected to start after missing Week 13—full practice Wednesday clears protocol. |
| Aaron Jones | RB | Shoulder | Limited | Questionable; managed snaps last 2 weeks, 47 yds vs. SEA. | |
| Rondale Moore | WR | Knee | DNP | Out; depth WR sidelined, limits slot options. | |
| Donovan Jackson | G | Undisclosed | DNP | Out; O-line stability tested. |
Washington’s QB uncertainty caps ceiling; Minnesota’s returnees could exploit mismatches if McCarthy gels.
Key Player Matchups
Both passing attacks (WSH No. 12, MIN No. 22) face secondary vulnerabilities, but Washington’s run D (No. 28, 135 ypg allowed) invites Minnesota’s ground game. Daniels’ status looms large.
Marcus Mariota/Jayden Daniels (WSH QB) vs. Vikings Secondary
Mariota (67% comp., 1,200 yds since injury) or Daniels (pre-injury 4:1 TD-INT) vs. MIN’s No. 18 pass D (225 ypg allowed). If Daniels plays limited, target Jefferson-like shadows; Vikings’ zone (55% usage) favors checkdowns.
J.J. McCarthy (MIN QB) vs. Commanders Front Seven
McCarthy’s return (debut: 19/30, 126 yds, 4 INT) meets WSH’s No. 25 pass rush (1.8 sacks/g). Rust could lead to hurried throws; if Jones questionable, lean RPO for 200+ yds.
Deebo Samuel (WSH WR/RB) vs. Vikings CBs
Samuel (versatile: 64 rec yds + rush last week) vs. MIN’s man-heavy secondary. Byron Murphy Jr. shadows deep; Samuel’s YAC threat (5.2 ypc) projects 70+ total yds.
Jordan Mason (MIN RB) vs. Commanders Run D
Mason (47 yds Week 13) steps up if Jones sits, vs. WSH’s porous front (5.0 ypc allowed). Vikings avg. 99 rush ypg—Mason could grind 60+ in committee.
Terry McLaurin (WSH WR) vs. Vikings Slot CB
McLaurin (top target sans Daniels) vs. MIN’s slot coverage (No. 15 EPA allowed). If Brown plays, doubles open seams; McLaurin’s speed for 80+ yds.
Team Records and Standings Context
Commanders: 3-9 (4th NFC East, .250 win%). 14th in NFC wild-card chase, eliminated. Offense: No. 12 passing (224/g), No. 25 rushing (95/g), T-20th pts (21.5/g). Defense: No. 28 pts allowed (26.9/g).
Vikings: 4-8 (4th NFC North, .333 win%). 13th in NFC, 4 games back. Offense: No. 22 passing (205/g), No. 25 rushing (99/g), T-28th pts (20.4/g). Defense: No. 18 pts allowed (23.2/g).
Recent Team Forms
Washington’s skid exposes offensive regression; Minnesota’s four-game slide stems from QB woes and turnovers.
Commanders Last 5 Games (0-5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov. 30 | vs. DEN | L 27-26 (OT) | Mariota: 294 yds, 2 TD/1 INT; Samuel: 64 rec yds—OT loss after rally. |
| Nov. 16 | vs. MIA | L 16-13 (OT) | Defense holds late; McLaurin: 85 yds, but missed chances. |
| Nov. 9 | vs. DET | L 44-22 | Passing game clicks (300 yds), but D allows 450 total yds. |
| Nov. 2 | vs. SEA | L 38-14 | Turnovers (3) doom; run D gashed for 180 yds. |
| Oct. 27 | @ KC | L 28-7 | Daniels injures elbow; offense sputters pre-exit. |
Vikings Last 5 Games (1-4):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov. 30 | @ SEA | L 26-0 | Brosmer: 126 yds, 4 INT; shutout exposes O-line (5 sacks). |
| Nov. 23 | @ GB | L 23-6 | Run game stifled (45 yds); Jefferson: 72 yds. |
| Nov. 16 | vs. CHI | L 19-17 | Close heartbreaker; D forces 2 TOs but late collapse. |
| Nov. 9 | vs. BAL | L 27-19 | McCarthy concussed early; Mason: 47 yds. |
| Nov. 2 | @ DET | W 27-24 | Pre-injury McCarthy: 220 yds, 2 TD; clutch road win. |
Commanders 0-5 SU last 5; Vikings 0-4 when <100 rush yds.
Series History
Minnesota holds a slim all-time edge, winning 3 of the last 5 meetings. Overall: Vikings lead 15-13 (including playoffs; WSH 3-2 postseason). Last 5 meetings:
Nov. 6, 2022: Vikings 20, Commanders 17 (MIN).
Oct. 24, 2019: Vikings 19, Commanders 9 (MIN).
Nov. 12, 2017: Vikings 38, Commanders 30 (MIN).
Nov. 13, 2016: Commanders 26, Vikings 20 (WSH).
Nov. 2, 2014: Vikings 29, Commanders 26 (MIN).
H2H avg. 42.6 total pts; overs hit 3/5 since 2016, but unders in MIN home games (2-3).
Betting Trends
Spread: Commanders 4-8 ATS (33%); Vikings 4-8 ATS (33%). MIN 1-4 ATS at home; WSH 1-5 ATS on road.
Total: Over in 6 of WSH’s 12 (50%); 7 of MIN’s 12 (58%). Road overs hit 3/5 for Vikings.
Key Trends: Vikings 0-4 SU after shutout loss; Commanders 2-3-1 ATS vs. MIN. H2H: MIN 3-2 SU last 5.
Projected Score” Minnesota Vikings 23, Washington Commanders 19
COMMANDERS NOTES:
• QB MARCUS MARIOTA passed for 294 yards & 2 TDs & added 55 rush yards last week. Has TD pass in all 6 starts this season. Aims for 100th-career game in Week 14. • RB JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT ranks 5th among rookies with 518 rush yards & tied-6th with 4 rush TDs in 2025. • RB CHRIS RODRIGUEZ had rush TD in Week 13 & has rush TD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for 3rd in row with 40+ scrimmage yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 7 receptions for season-high 96 yards & TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 5 receptions for 64 yards last week. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 overall & 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 110 rec. yards in his last game vs. Min. (9/15/24 w/ SF). • TE ZACH ERTZ led team with season-high 10 receptions for 106 yards in Week 13, his 10th career game with 10+ receptions & 100+ rec. yards, tied-2nd most (Travis Kelce – 10) all-time among TEs. Has 824 career receptions, 5th-most ever by TE. Had rec. TD in last game vs. Min. (10/30/22 w/ Ari.). • LB BOBBY WAGNER had team-high 8 tackles & INT in Week 13. Has 7+ tackles in all 12 games this season, longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 115 tackles this season. Had 11 tackles in his last game vs. Min. (9/26/21 w/ Sea.). • LB FRANKIE LUVU had sack, PD & FF in Week 13, 1 of 6 LBs to do such in a single game this season. • DT DARON PAYNE had 5 tackles & TFL last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 on road. Had 6 tackles, 4 TFL & sack in last meeting. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL had 6 tackles last week & has 6+ tackles in 2 of his past 3. • S WILL HARRIS had 6 tackles & PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. • S JEREMY REAVES had 6 tackles & PD in Week 13. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. • S QUAN MARTIN had 7 tackles in Week 13. Has 7+ tackles in 2 of his past 3.
VIKINGS NOTES:
• QB J.J. McCARTHY has TD pass in 3 of his past 4 games & aims for 3rd in row at home with TD pass. Has 140+ pass yards in 5 of his past 6 games. • QB MAX BROSMER passed for 126 yards in 1st career start last week. • RB JORDAN MASON led team with 47 rush yards in Week 13. Has scrimmage TD in 3 of his past 4 at home. • RB AARON JONES has 50+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5. Ranks 6th in NFL with 7,378 rush yards since 2017. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON ranks 1st in NFL with 8,231 rec. yards since 2020, 2nd-most rec. yards in 1st 6 career seasons all-time (HOFer Randy Moss; 8,375 rec. yards). Has 5+ receptions in 3 of his past 4 at home & 60+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 at home this season. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON led team with 6 receptions for season-high 59 yards in Week 13. Had 9 catches for 70 yards in last meeting. • LB ERIC WILSON had team & season-high 11 tackles, 4 TFL & had sack in Week 13. Has TFL in 7 consecutive games, 2nd-longest active streak in the NFL this season. Aims for 6th in row at home with 5+ tackles. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN had 9 tackles & PD in Week 13. Has 10+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 games & aims for 3rd in row at home with 10+ tackles. • LB DALLAS TURNER had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FFs & PD last week, the only player in the NFL to do such in a single game this season & 1 of 4 to do so since 2021. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 5 tackles & sack last week. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 5 tackles & INT in his last game vs. Was. (12/3/23 w/ Mia.). • DE JONATHAN ALLEN had 6 tackles in Week 13. Has 0.5+ sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. Recorded 401 tackles, 42 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs & INT with Was. (2017-24). • DL JALEN REDMOND had 1st FR in 2025 last week. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. • CB ISAIAH RODGERS has 5+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. • S JOSH METELLUS had season-high 2 PD last week.
Game Odds
Washington Commanders 41.5
Minnesota Vikings – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
