Vikings-Packers preview: J.J. McCarthy gets another shot at making an impression

Ben Goessling, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Jan 2, 2026

Published in Football

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McCarthy back for one more; Packers‘ starters will sit: With Green Bay locked into the NFC’s No. 7 seed, the Packers are expected to rest many of their starters to preserve them for the start of the playoffs. Quarterback Clayton Tune, who entered the Packers’ last game after backup Malik Willis aggravated his right shoulder injury, will start against Brian Flores’ defense. The Vikings, meanwhile, will get a 10th start from J.J. McCarthy, who is set to return from the hairline fracture in his right hand after four days of practice this week.

Vikings offense vs. Packers defense

Jefferson gets one more shot at 1K: Kevin O’Connell has made no secret of his desire to get Justin Jefferson over the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season, and the Vikings are 53 yards from getting Jefferson over that mark. They won’t want McCarthy to force the ball into trouble in an attempt to do so, but it stands to reason they’ll create opportunities for Jefferson to get receiving yards, especially if he‘s facing a Packers secondary playing without its starters. Green Bay signed Trevon Diggs on Dec. 31, and the former Cowboys cornerback could play against the Vikings, but Jefferson figures to have chances.

Vikings want to see McCarthy close on a high note: McCarthy said this week if he were to write a book about his career, the first chapter would have “a lot of ups and downs, a lot of twists and turns.” He is expected to make his 10th start of the season, and the Vikings want to see continued growth in his decision-making as the quarterback gets a chance to finish the year with a 6-4 record as a starter. “Thinking back to the Dallas game (and) moving the team in the first half of the Giants game and Commanders game, a ton of stuff during this win streak has been about stacking plays,” O’Connell said. “We’d love to get him another (start), but only if he’s medically cleared and can 100 percent do his job.”

Vikings defense vs. Packers offense

Tune gets the start against Vikings defense: Coach Matt LaFleur announced this week the Packers plan to start Tune, who came in for Willis Dec. 27 against the Ravens with Jordan Love in the concussion protocol. Love has recovered from his concussion, but as the Packers try to keep their starter healthy for the playoffs, it’ll mean Tune makes his second NFL start. The 26-year-old went 11 of 20 for 58 yards and two interceptions while starting for the Cardinals in a 27-0 loss to the Browns in 2023; he was sacked seven times in that game. The Vikings will try to match that number on a day when Jonathan Allen, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman have a shot at contract incentives with big days.

Packers could lean on Wilson: Assuming the Packers give running back Josh Jacobs the day off to rest his knee injury, the Vikings could again see plenty of Emanuel Wilson, who ran for a career-high 107 yards and scored two touchdowns on 28 carries in Green Bay’s 23-6 win over the Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23. Wilson has run for 452 yards this season while being successful on 59.8% of his runs, and the Packers could turn to him frequently as they try to make things easier for Tune against the Vikings’ pressure packages.

Injury report

Vikings

Out: TE Gavin Bartholomew (back), TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), RB Aaron Jones Sr. (hip), WR Myles Price (ankle)

Questionable: CB Dwight McGlothern (hip)

Packers

Out: G/T Donovan Jennings (throat), LB Nick Niemann (pectoral), G John Williams (back) WR Savion Williams (foot/illness)

Doubtful: WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion)

Questionable: OL Zach Tom (back/knee), QB Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring)

Prediction

The Packers have little to play for, with a wild-card playoff game possibly taking them to Chicago for a third meeting with the Bears, and the Vikings want to finish the season with a 9-8 record that would restore some dignity to a year that fell short of expectations. Assuming McCarthy can avoid mistakes and turnovers against a Packers defense that should have plenty of reserves, the Vikings should cruise as their defense finishes with a dominant performance against Tune. Vikings 24, Packers 10

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