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VIKINGS 31

COMMANDERS 0

The last month has been a horrible time to be a Vikings fan. Awful losses, historically dreadful QB play, uncertainty at best about the future.

We needed something good to happen, something to provide a trace of hope that maybe things could get better, even though the 2025 season can not be saved.

We got it with gusto. The Vikings, facing the Washington Commanders in the We Wish It Were Still 2024 Bowl, posted their 1st home shutout since 1993 and the largest margin of victory in a shutout since 1980.

Back off his concussion, JJ McCarthy was starting again. Much was made during the week about how KOC was supposedly "simplifying" the offense. It's unclear exactly what that means, but it was clear today that everything was quick. Quick throws, quick runs, quick decisions. And balance. Passing and rushing totals were nearly identical. 

The offense went right down the field on the opening drive, getting the first touchdown since the Chicago game 3 weeks ago, a nice zip from McCarthy to Josh Oliver. 

Washington had Jayden Daniels back for the first time since that gnarly looking elbow injury weeks ago, and he led the Commies deep into Vikings territory on their 1st drive. Our defense wasn't offering much resistance, and it looked like maybe we were in store for a shootout. 

But the defense, facing 1st and goal at the 4, stiffened and gave us a good old goal line stand to keep Washington off the board. Little did we know it would be their only real scoring chance all game.

Just as impressive as the stand was what happened next. The Vikings, who have been dreadful all season at sustaining drives, proceeded to have a 19 play, 98-yard, TWELVE minute drive. Their most time-consuming drive in literally decades. They key stat was that they were 5 for 5 on 3rd downs, including the Jordan Mason TD run that finished the possession. McCarthy made a couple of clutch throws to keep things moving, and even scrambled.

Nothing else happened before halftime, but in the 3rd quarter, the domination continued. 

Washington looked like they might be able to make this a game again, but when they went for a 4th and short inside the 20, Van Ginkel ambushed Daniels, grabbing an interception and racing the other way. Daniels got hurt again on the return and didn't come back in the game. 

Gink didn't house it, but the play set up a Reichard field goal to pad the lead. 

Marcus Mariota was now in at QB for the Commies, and nothing improved. His 1st drive ended with the 1st interception of the season from Harrison Smith (in likely the last game of his I will ever see in person). 

The offense drove to another touchdown, once again a McCarthy to Oliver connection. Then McCarthy hit Hockenson for a score to finish things.

The last Washington drive ended in a fumble, and then the Vikings ate up the last half of the 4th quarter to secure the shutout.

I wish we'd seen THIS team all year. The defense has been capable all year, and thos tume they got some turnovers. KOC didn't abandon a working run game, and the QB hit basic throws and played a clean game. It isn't splashy, but if these basic tenets of winning football had been achieved more often, a few of those losses are flipped, and we're still playing meaningful football. 

The Vikings staved off elimination for probably just the one more week, but it's a when, not if.

But we needed this type of game just to provide some semblance of hope for 2026 and maybe beyond. Washington is not a great opponent and their defense is putrid, but for a fanbase desperate for any already of hope in this QB and the regime that handed him the franchise, this game was like a cold drink of water in the desert.