For the New York Giants, Week 16 presents a clear defensive mandate: disrupt the rhythm of JJ McCarthy before the Vikings’ passing game can settle into comfort.
Within their offensive structure, Minnesota has asked a lot of McCarthy over the past month, and the redshirt rookie has responded by playing increasingly composed football. In recent weeks, McCarthy has been allowed to sit in clean pockets, calmly working through shallow and intermediate concepts while the Vikings’ front five has kept edge pressure at bay.
When McCarthy has time, Minnesota’s offense resembles controlled 7-on-7 football -- quick decisions, defined reads, and minimal chaos.
When it comes to the Giants, well, they want the opposite.
For New York, Brian Burns is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst. His first-step explosiveness, bend, and ability to flatten to the pocket remain elite traits, and they have translated into near-constant pressure throughout the season. With his sack total already flirting with the 15-sack threshold, Burns has been the Giants’ tone-setter off the edge, capable of wrecking game plans without needing schematic assistance.
This matchup, however, requires more than raw sack numbers. Burns’ true value this week lies in forcing McCarthy off his launch point.
Minnesota’s offense is built on timing; disrupting that timing -- even by a half-second -- can unravel the structure of the passing game. Converting speed to power against the Vikings’ tackles, collapsing the pocket from the outside in, and forcing McCarthy into uncomfortable platforms where anticipation and accuracy are tested will allow New York to keep the script of the ballgame within their control.
Equally important is Burns’ discipline. McCarthy has shown a willingness to escape and extend plays when edges lose contain, and Burns’ ability to rush with balance, maintain leverage, and finish plays will be critical in preventing scramble drills that turn manageable downs into explosive gains.
For the Giants’ defense as a whole, Burns’ presence dictates everything else. If he wins early and often, it shortens McCarthy’s internal clock, allows the secondary to play tighter, and creates opportunities for turnovers. If he doesn’t, Minnesota can methodically carve up the middle of the field and keep the Giants on their heels.
Late December football is about big-time ball players showing up, no matter the situation of the season. For the Giants to control Week 16, Burns must do exactly that -- reminding everyone why he remains one of the league’s premier sack artists within a defense that, as a whole, has underwhelmed in 2025.