Kyler Murray finally looked like Kyler Murray again, and the Vikings needed every bit of it in New Orleans.
After a quiet Week 1 cameo and uneven starts in Week 3 and Week 4, Murray delivered the version Minnesota has been waiting for on Sunday. He went 24-for-30 for 229 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions, good for a 109.6 passer rating. He also ran for 51 yards on 10 carries.
That kind of all-around performance put him in franchise history, too. Per the Vikings, Murray became the first quarterback in team history to throw for at least 200 yards with an 80-percent completion rate while also rushing for 50 or more yards.
The bounce-back wasn’t limited to one afternoon. The offense had already shown some life late in last week’s game against the Dolphins, when Miami trimmed the deficit to 12-10 late in the third quarter.
Murray responded by leading the drive that stretched the lead back to five, then helped Minnesota bleed the rest of the clock after a three-and-out. Since Miami’s touchdown on the second-to-last play of the third quarter, Murray has completed 36 of 43 passes, an 83.7-percent clip.
Against the Saints, though, it felt different from the jump. Murray was sharp from opening kick to final whistle, and even a couple of momentum-flipping mistakes didn’t knock Minnesota off course.
When the Saints turned a Myles Price fumble into an 87-yard tying touchdown return, the Vikings answered immediately, marching 70 yards in six plays for the go-ahead score. One more touchdown drive finished off the 23-13 win.
Now Minnesota heads into its bye with a chance to get healthy and get ready for what’s next: the Colts, Lions, Bills, Packers, and 49ers in a Sunday night game in Mexico City.
In Other News...
Vikings Face A Tough Game Day Question With Key Absences
Minnesotas pregame picture got a lot clearer on the inactive list, and a lot more challenging, too. The Vikings will go into their matchup with New Orleans missing Jordan Addison, Odell Beckham Jr., Christian Darrisaw, Chuck Demmings, Jakobe Thomas and Elijah Williams, while Justin Jefferson and Brian ONeill are available, giving the offense at least one of its top playmakers and a key piece up front.
Christian Darrisaws absence leaves a notable hole on the left side, and the Saints also arrived with their own share of questions after listing Vernon Broughton, Kaden Elliss, Anfernee Jennings, Mike Reid, Nathan Shepherd and Jeremiah Wright inactive. New Orleans still has Barion Brown, Julian Blackmon and Alvin Kamara available despite being questionable, so the final shape of the game will come down to which side handles its absences better once the ball is kicked off. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Stayed Unbeaten Through A Messy Win That Said Plenty
The Vikings went into their meeting with the Saints trying to protect an unbeaten start before the bye week, and they had to do it while already shorthanded on offense. Minnesota kept finding ways to stay afloat anyway, leaning on Kyler Murrays mobility and accurate passing as the game turned messy around them, but the win came with the kind of wear and tear that can linger far beyond one Sunday.
Minnesota also had to absorb more blows in-game, with T.J. Hockenson leaving on the second snap and the offense already operating without Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison and Donovan Jackson. Even so, the Vikings pushed through turnovers and a handful of self-inflicted mistakes to get to 5-0, though the red-zone fumbles that gave the Saints extra points left plenty for the Vikings to sort out when they return from the break. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Jefferson's Status Puts Vikings Week 5 Offense In Spotlight
The Vikings head into Week 5 with their passing game suddenly in focus, as both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are listed as questionable for the matchup with the Saints. Jefferson is working through an ankle injury after missing the previous game, while Addison is dealing with a hamstring issue, leaving Minnesota with real uncertainty at two of its most important receiver spots.
Jefferson has said he plans to play, but the final call still matters because the Vikings have already had to prepare for a plan B. Minnesota elevated Odell Beckham Jr. and Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad, a clear sign the team is bracing for the possibility of being short-handed when it tries to keep the offense on schedule in New Orleans. [Read more 🡒]