The Minnesota Vikings are hoping that their offense can get back to their 2024 form on Sunday when they head to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions. They are coming off of their worst offensive performance of the season, where they generated a season-low 164 yards in a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football.

Can J.J. McCarthy inject energy into the offense? And can he play more like he did in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears game than he did in the other seven quarters of his two starts? And how will Kevin O’Connell implement the running game to take pressure off his young quarterback after running only 11 times against the Chargers?

The Vikings face maybe their stiffest test to date in the 2025 season after playing their worst game of the season. Can the offense step up and give them a chance against the Lions? Or will we see more offensive inefficiency?

Here are three keys for the Vikings’ offense against the Lions.

Keys for the Vikings offense vs the Lions in Week 9Don’t get away from the run game

The Vikings didn’t run well in their limited opportunities against the Chargers. They ran only 11 times for 34 yards, relying on Carson Wentz’s banged-up body to throw 36 times before Max Brosmer replaced him late in the game.

With McCarthy returning, and his development as vital as the outcome of Sunday’s game, O’Connell won’t be able to deviate from the run game. The Vikings ran for 120 yards in their Week 1 victory over the Bears, with most of the production coming in the 4th quarter, coinciding with McCarthy’s success.

Christian Darrisaw was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice after playing only nine plays against the Chargers. Brian O’Neill was limited after missing the game. With those two back, the Vikings should have a better chance to run.

Detroit won’t make things easy on Minnesota. They rank 4th in rushing yards allowed and 11th in yards per run allowed. O’Connell will have to stay disciplined in his game plan, even if it isn’t always pretty.

Don’t turn the ball over

The Vikings have turned the ball over 12 times in 2025, 3rd-worst in the league. O’Connell preaches ball security, and it’ll be even more vital than ever with McCarthy starting. Turning the ball over can not only sabotage that individual drive, but also throw the Vikings’ game plan off and turn a hostile environment into an even rowdier setting.

Last time McCarthy started, he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. O’Connell will be stressing for him to take care of the ball. If they can do that and nothing else, they can at least give a lethal Lions offense away from short fields.

Give McCarthy protection

Vikings quarterbacks have been taking sacks at an 10.77% rate this year, according to Sumer Sports. That’s the worst rate in the league, and it could only partially be blamed on McCarthy’s youth. He took nine sacks in his two starts but didn’t have Darrisaw protecting his blind side in either game.

Wentz took 19 sacks in five starts, having Darrisaw for four games and only briefly for the Chargers game. O’Neill has missed two games as well, as has Donovan Jackson. The Vikings have started Blake Brandel at center the past three games after he had never played the position in a game during his life.

With four of the five original starters set to play in Sunday’s game, McCarthy may have the best group of linemen in front of him that he’s had all season. They have to protect him from a Lions defensive line that features Aidan Hutchinson (six sacks) and Al-Quadin Muhammed (five sacks). If the line can neutralize the Lions’ pass rush, McCarthy can take advantage of a banged up Lions secondary.