November 2, 2025: J.J. McCarthy returns from a five-week injury, and the Vikings beat the Lions 27-24 at Ford Field

On November 2, 2025, J.J. McCarthy returned from a high ankle sprain that had kept him out five weeks and led the Vikings to a 27-24 win over the Lions at Ford Field. Minnesota arrived 3-4, and Detroit was 5-2 and coming off its bye.

After Sam LaPorta’s long touchdown on fourth down, McCarthy found Justin Jefferson for a 10-yard score, then hit T.J. Hockenson for a 7-yard touchdown. Will Reichard’s 50-yard field goal gave Minnesota a 17-14 halftime lead.

In the third quarter Blake Cashman knocked the ball away from David Montgomery, and McCarthy scrambled 9 yards for a touchdown and a 24-14 lead. Early in the fourth, Levi Drake Rodriguez blocked Jake Bates’ 45-yard field goal try.

Jameson Williams’ 37-yard touchdown cut it to 27-24 with two minutes left, and Detroit kicked off with all three timeouts. On third-and-5, McCarthy hit Jalen Nailor for 16 yards, and the Vikings ran out the clock. “It was awesome,” McCarthy said, choking up.

Both teams finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs. McCarthy is now with the Giants, and Minnesota has Kyler Murray at quarterback. The Vikings, the league’s last unbeaten team at 6-0, visit Ford Field again on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.