J.J. McCarthy gets injured as the Vikings hand the Giants their ninth loss in a row

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy had already injured his right, throwing hand by the time he ran for a touchdown. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell asked the rookie quarterback if he was OK, though the discomfort eventually made McCarthy unable to grip the ball.

McCarthy exited just before halftime, and backup Max Brosmer helped the Vikings win their third game in a row, beating the New York Giants 16-13 on Sunday in a matchup of teams eliminated from playoff contention.

“I’m just glad that this whole, entire team has continued to stay with it, continued to fight to the end of the season, because we don’t lay our heads down and we definitely don’t give up,” said receiver Justin Jefferson, who had six catches for 85 yards.

Minnesota's victory came after mechanical issues led pilots to turn around on the way and a second plane was needed to get players and staff to northern New Jersey on Saturday.

“It was an interesting 24 hours or so for our team,” O'Connell said. “But I’m really proud of the way the guys handled a little bit of the adversity yesterday and then found a way to win a football game.”

It’s unclear if McCarthy will be able to play in either of the final two games of the season.

O'Connell said X-rays were negative for McCarthy, whose last play was a strip sack by Brian Burns in the final minute of the first half, when it appeared the Vikings (7-8) were going to let the clock run out. Instead, Burns forced McCarthy to fumble with a crushing hit and Tyler Nubin returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.

After entering in relief, Brosmer led a go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter that ended with Will Reichard making a 30-yard field goal. The rookie completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards in his fourth NFL appearance and first since throwing four interceptions Nov. 30 in a 26-0 loss at Seattle.

“I’m just happy that he had the confidence in himself to go in there with a cool, calm and collected mind and to lead this team to where we would like to go, which was a win,” Jefferson said. “Definitely proud of him.”

Before getting hurt, McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and had a would-be pick-6 negated by an offside penalty on Abdul Carter. After having his entire rookie year wiped out by a torn meniscus in his right knee, the 2024 No. 10 pick has missed time this season because of a concussion and a sprained right ankle.

The Giants (2-13) lost their ninth consecutive game and fifth since Mike Kafka took over as interim coach when Brian Daboll was fired on Nov. 10. They have not won since Oct. 9.

“This is a new experience for me," rookie QB Jaxson Dart said. “It hasn’t been easy. I’m just trying to stay positive.”

Dart did not attempt a pass until 1:44 left in the second quarter and finished 7 of 13 for 33 yards and his fifth career interception, which came when his throw bounced off Theo Johnson's hands and into Byron Murphy's. Dart was sacked five times, including by Andrew Van Ginkel on fourth and 3 with two minutes left, and those yards lost gave the Giants 13 net yards

“I trust the game plan," Dart said. "I understand it. My job is to go out there and execute it.”

Ben Saul made two field goals in his debut, and New York failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second time in as many games against the Vikings' defense run by Brian Flores after choosing Daboll over him in 2022 sparked a lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices. The unit's longest play was 18 yards, and Darius Slayton's drop late elicited boos from some of the fans who remained in the stands at the Meadowlands.

Vikings: Running back Jordan Mason was carted to the locker room after injuring his right ankle in the first quarter. ... Center Ryan Kelly was concussed in the second. It’s his third this season and the sixth documented concussion of his NFL career. ... O'Connell said Aaron Jones played through an ankle injury.

Giants: Left tackle Andrew Thomas limped off early in the second quarter because of a hamstring injury. ... Center John Michael Schmitz injured his right hand in the third. ... Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott left with a knee injury.

Vikings: Host Detroit on Thursday in one of the NFL’s three Christmas Day games.

Giants: Visit Las Vegas next Sunday in a game that could determine who gets the No. 1 pick in the draft.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) looks to pass against the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) sacks New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) leaves the game near the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Justin Herbert is getting more comfortable by the week with his broken left hand that's heavily protected.

Facing a beleaguered defense that isn't getting the quarterback on the ground sure helps.

Herbert threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score and the Los Angeles Chargers closed in on a playoff spot with a 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Chargers' fourth consecutive victory gave them a chance later in the day to clinch their second postseason berth in two seasons under coach Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles (11-4) would be in with a loss or tie by either Indianapolis or Houston.

“I think the really cool thing about this team is, we've kind of taken it week by week, and we’re never looking too far ahead, and we're never looking too far back,” Herbert said. “In the past couple of weeks, I think the defense has done such a great job of just helping us out. And today we were able to kind of help out a little bit.”

Dak Prescott had TD passes on his first two drives but couldn't find the end zone again for Dallas, which was eliminated from the playoffs for the second year in a row with Philadelphia's NFC East-clinching victory at Washington on Saturday.

The Cowboys (6-8-1) have lost three in a row since a three-game winning streak that put them over .500 for the only time in coach Brian Schottenheimer's first season.

“They played a better full game than us,” said Prescott, who was 21 of 30 for 244 yards as both QBs went without an interception. “The first half, we’re rolling, and we didn’t get the stop on defense. The second half, we got the stops on defense and we weren’t doing much.”

In his third full game with his left hand completely covered, Herbert led the Chargers to touchdowns on all three drives in the first half. Omarion Hampton scored on a 5-yard run in the second half.

A 23-yard TD toss to Quentin Johnston, who played college football a few miles from the home of the Cowboys at TCU, was followed by 25-yarder to Ladd McConkey before Herbert's 1-yard plunge on a modified version of the tush push. Johnston had four catches for 104 yards.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ move to the coaching booth from the sideline didn’t help the Dallas defense — or his case to keep this job.

Herbert was 23 of 29 — a season-high 79% — for 300 yards and the Chargers finished with 452 total yards, another season best. They didn’t reach 300 yards in the first two full games after Herbert’s injury.

“It’s getting better,” said Herbert, who broke the hand in the first game on the current winning streak. “I think the swelling’s going down. I've got much better grip on the ball now. And so I think every week, every day helps. And just getting used to it and allowing the bone to heal.”

Los Angeles punted on the first possession of the second half and was facing third-and-7 on the next drive when Herbert escaped Kenneth Murray's grasp in the backfield and sprinted 33 yards, leading to Cameron Dicker's 27-yard field goal for a 27-17 lead with 9 minutes remaining.

Herbert was slow getting up and appeared to be favoring the injured hand, but said after the game he landed on the elbow. He didn't miss any time.

“He's amazing, his accuracy, his escapility, his ability to throw on the run,” said Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs, who played for the first time since Week 6 after dealing with a concussion and issues with his knees. “He's got it all.”

Dallas went without a sack for the second consecutive week, this time against a makeshift offensive line that has struggled to protect Herbert. He already has a career in sacks, having gone down 49 times.

“We got the ball out quick, had a great protection plan and really were on our stuff this week,” Herbert said. “So it’s a shoutout to the front five for just communicating, talking and blocking as well as they did.”

Prescott's first TD pass was a 5-yarder to Ryan Flournoy, who had another TD wiped out by a holding penalty before exiting with a knee injury and not returning.

George Pickens scored on a 38-yard catch when Prescott hit him in stride in the end zone. Pickens had seven yards on 130 catches coming off two sub-par games that led to criticisms about his playing style.

Chargers: LT Jamaree Salyer injured a hamstring in the first half and didn't return. ... CB Donte Jackson exited with a groin injury in the third quarter and didn't return.

Cowboys: LB DeMarvion Overshown sustained a concussion in the first half and didn't return. ... C Cooper Beebe missed three plays in the first quarter after getting poked in the eye.

Chargers: Hosts Houston on Saturday.

Cowboys: At Washington on Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) makes a touchdown catch past Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) celebrates his touchdown with center Bradley Bozeman (75) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)