In what turned into an offensive showcase, the Washington Commanders edged the Minnesota Vikings with a final score of 59 to 35. The game was played in Week 14 of the 2025 regular season — both teams were fully in the thick of their playoff push.
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Total Offense & Momentum Swings
Washington produced 650 total yards, combining 404 passing and 246 rushing attacks.
Minnesota, not far behind, logged 584 total yards, with 493 through the air but only 91 on the ground.
Third-down efficiency favored Minnesota (4/7, ~57.1%) over Washington (4/9, ~44.4%), yet Washington’s aggressiveness on 4th down paid off: converting 2 of 3 attempts (66.7%), while Minnesota went 1 of 1 (100%) but in fewer chances.
Turnovers were a deciding factor. The Commanders forced 4 takeaways, while Minnesota struggled to protect the ball. Defensively, Washington only logged 1 sack, while Minnesota didn’t register any. In the red zone, Washington managed 3 touchdowns and 1 field goal on 10 trips (30.0%), whereas Minnesota failed to produce a score on all 7 red zone attempts.
The takeaway margin and red zone efficiency made the difference — despite Minnesota’s better third-down rate and stronger passing numbers.
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Standout Performers: Offensive Stars
Washington Commanders
• QB Jayden Daniels: 17 of 25, 404 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT (133.7 rating)
• RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 16 rushes, 164 yards, 2 TDs (long of 95 yards)
• RB Austin Ekeler: 4 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
• Croskey-Merritt also added 7 catches, 187 yards, and 2 TDs
• TE Zach Ertz: 1 catch, 28 yards, 1 TD
Minnesota Vikings
• QB J.J. McCarthy: 30 of 41, 504 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs (116.3 rating)
• RB Jordan Mason: 4 rushes, 61 yards, 1 TD
• RB Aaron Jones Sr.: 5 rushes, 30 yards
• WR Justin Jefferson: 7 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD
• WR Demetric Felton: 7 catches, 131 yards, 2 TDs
• WR Jalen Nailor: 6 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD
Washington’s balanced attack — a mix of explosive runs and timely passing — overwhelmed a Vikings defense that allowed big plays repeatedly.
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Defensive Highlights & Game Flow
While neither defense dominated, a few plays swung momentum:
• Washington’s 4 forced takeaways turned the tide in many sequences.
• Minnesota was unable to capitalize inside the red zone.
• Washington’s conversion of key fourth downs kept drives alive.
• Minnesota’s pass-heavy game yielded yards but too many turnovers to overcome.
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The Narrative & What It Means
This game was a perfect microcosm of unsustainable yardage without execution. Minnesota amassed nearly 600 yards but underperformed when it mattered most. Washington, on the other hand, turned yardage into points efficiently — especially in critical zones.
For the Commanders, this dominant win bolsters their playoff positioning and morale. For Minnesota, it’s a tough lesson: yardage alone isn’t enough — takeaways and red zone execution are the margin in high-scoring affairs.
