The Minnesota Vikings hit an unexpected snag Saturday on their way to New Jersey, forcing the team's plane to make an abrupt turnaround shortly after leaving Minneapolis.
According to the team, the plane encountered mechanical trouble shortly after departing Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, prompting the pilots to return to the airport.
The setback created a tight timeline for a team already facing pressure to reach New Jersey for Sunday's game.
The Vikings are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After securing a replacement plane and clearing the tarmac, the team left just after 7:30 p.m. CT and were expected to land in Newark late Saturday evening.
According to a flight map posted by Leber, the original plane had changed course just south of Madison, Wisconsin, when the landing gear issue became apparent.
The Vikings entered Sunday's matchup coming off a victory against Dallas, though both teams have already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Minnesota is entering the game 6–8, while the Giants sit at 2–12. For the Vikings, the contest represents an opportunity to give young quarterback J.J. McCarthy more NFL experience rather than a high-stakes playoff push.
The two teams were tied at three points apiece during the second quarter
The Vikings have won two straight games despite their playoff elimination last week. Sunday's game marks the team's final road contest of the season, with the remainder of their schedule consisting of home games—a Christmas Day matchup against the Detroit Lions and a Week 18 contest against the Green Bay Packers.