A week ago, things could not have looked more dire for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seattle Seahawks had just shut them out for their fourth straight loss. Their first-round pick at quarterback was dealing with yet another injury, and their undrafted backup threw four interceptions in the worst offensive game of the Kevin O’Connell era.

However, all that changed in an instant when Minnesota flipped the script and beat the Washington Commanders 31-0 last Sunday. It probably won’t change their fate this season, as they are still a long shot for the playoffs, but it was a useful stepping stone for the team’s future.

If nothing else, it was a blueprint for how the Vikings can win with J.J. McCarthy.

The defense was dominant, forcing three turnovers without allowing any points, while the offense controlled the time of possession and the line of scrimmage. McCarthy made the right reads, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions, in what ended up being a massive game for his future in Minnesota.

Still, if the defense can play as they did on Sunday consistently, they will be the key to Minnesota’s success in 2026. One could even argue that they will be a bigger harbinger of success than the QB play, considering how well they complemented McCarthy last week. Shutting out the Commanders allowed the Vikings to commit to their run game, move the ball at their pace, and open up the playbook to get the best out of their QB.

The hope is that McCarthy will clean up his mechanics over the offseason, allowing him to drive winning more effectively. If he doesn’t, Minnesota can still be competitive.

Look around the league, and you will see the importance of a strong defense. The Houston Texans are on a five-game winning streak despite starting two QBs in that span. They’re anchored by the NFL’s best defense in terms of yards and points allowed, making their 20th-ranked offense look competent enough to win games.

The Philadelphia Eagles are another example. All year, their offense has struggled with consistency. On Monday, they imploded, turning the ball over five times in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Still, they forced overtime in that game and sit at 8-5 on the season despite being in the bottom half of the league in most offensive metrics. Meanwhile, their defense is top 10 in the NFL in EPA per play.

If the Texans and Eagles are any indication, having a strong defense is a recipe for success in the NFL. It takes pressure off the offense, which will be important as McCarthy heads into his second year, and it gives teams a chance to win every single game. O’Connell has shown he can run an efficient offense, so pairing him with a consistently dominant defense will pay dividends.

Of course, the success of Minnesota’s defense will depend on Brian Flores. There’s a good chance he will return as defensive coordinator next season, and he has the résumé to run a top defense. Based on Sunday’s result, he might also have the personnel.

The defensive line that the Vikings invested heavily in this offseason paid off. They pressured Jayden Daniels on 28% of his dropbacks, the highest mark against him this season. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave wreaked havoc, with the latter forcing and recovering a fumble, while Jalen Redmond continued his breakout season with his fifth sack of the year.

The real bright spot was the linebacking crew. Andrew Van Ginkel had another “Gink” interception on a screen pass. Eric Wilson also added to his team-leading sack total, and Dallas Turner showed why he was worthy of a first-round pick.

On Sunday, Minnesota’s defense showed what it can do with a lead, and repeating a performance like this is not that far-fetched. They allowed only one touchdown to the high-powered Seahawks offense in Week 13, and are eighth in EPA per play on the season. Last year, they were third, showing that the pieces are there to support an elite defense.

At a time when Vikings fans are hopelessly wondering what their QB situation looks like next year, it may be wise to keep an eye on the other side of the ball. They may be the difference maker the team needs.