Nothing Worked: Washington Shut Out, Outplayed, and Outclassed by Minnesota

By Tiffany Williams –

Minnesota didn’t just beat Washington on Sunday—they embarrassed them. From the first snap, it was clear the Commanders had no answers for J.J. McCarthy and a Vikings offense that was dialed in, balanced, and ruthless.

McCarthy went 16 of 23 for 151 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, carving up a Washington secondary that looked like it hadn’t shown up to the game. He was pressured four times but shrugged it off, calmly delivering strikes to Josh Oliver twice and T.J. Hockenson once, a clinic in precision passing and decision-making. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ ground game chewed up clock and defenses alike. Aaron Jones Sr. rumbled for 76 yards, and Jordan Mason added a crucial touchdown on the ground. Minnesota controlled the line of scrimmage, controlled the clock, and frankly, controlled every phase of the game.

Washington’s offense was pathetic. Eleven completions on 24 attempts for 99 yards and two interceptions is what passes for an NFL quarterbacking effort these days? Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota split the workload like they were auditioning for a charity scrimmage, but neither could get anything going through the air. Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel tried to create some spark, combining for 68 yards, but it wasn’t nearly enough to threaten the Vikings. The running game, led by Chris Rodriguez Jr., at least showed life with 107 yards on 23 carries, but that was a drop in the ocean against a team controlling the clock, the trenches, and the scoreboard. Marcus Mariota’s fumble was the cherry on top of a day-long struggle to even look competent. Defensively, the Commanders played hard, but 70 tackles and four sacks look meaningless when the Vikings march down the field at will and put 31 points on the board without breaking a sweat.

Minnesota’s defense didn’t just play—they dominated. Two interceptions, four sacks, and the ability to stifle every sustained drive Washington tried to mount made it clear the Vikings weren’t messing around. Bobby Wagner’s effort for Washington was valiant, but no single defender can compensate for an offense that simply can’t execute. On special teams, Deebo Samuel’s four kick returns for 87 yards and Tress Way’s 46.7-yard punting average were highlights, but even they couldn’t hide the fact that Washington was being steamrolled in all three phases. Minnesota’s Myles Price made the kick return game look easy, and Will Reichard was automatic with a 45-yard field goal and four extra points.

The scoring told the story before the final whistle. McCarthy hit Josh Oliver for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then Minnesota ran a 19-play, 98-yard drive ending in Jordan Mason’s 8-yard rushing score before halftime. The second half saw the Vikings add a 45-yard Reichard field goal, Oliver again finding the end zone from six yards, and finally T.J. Hockenson sealing the game with a 2-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. There was never a moment when Washington looked like they could threaten, never a sign that they had the skill or the composure to even sniff the end zone.

The final stat line reads like a horror show for the Commanders: 206 total yards on 49 plays, two interceptions, one lost fumble, three total turnovers, and zero points. They converted only three of ten third downs and one of three fourth downs. Minnesota had 313 yards on 61 plays, converted six of 11 third downs, and scored on every red zone attempt. They held possession for nearly 35 minutes, controlling the tempo, the field, and the narrative.

This wasn’t a moral victory—it was a clinic, a beatdown, a statement. Washington looked disorganized, underprepared, and simply outclassed in every facet of the game. Minnesota didn’t just win; they dominated, humiliated, and exposed the Commanders for what they are: a team that still doesn’t have an answer when they’re outmatched. If Sunday’s performance doesn’t wake up Washington’s coaching staff, nothing will. The Vikings were precise, powerful, and downright ruthless. The Commanders? They were utterly helpless, and the scoreboard didn’t even lie.