The Minnesota Vikings walked out of the Caesars Superdome with a 23-13 win Sunday, but the cleanest way to describe this one is simple: they survived a game that threatened to spin off the rails.
Minnesota stayed unbeaten at 5-0 after weathering a second-half jolt from the New Orleans Saints, who turned a fumble return into a real chance to flip the afternoon. The Vikings answered with their most important drive of the game, then let their defense shut the door.
Justin Jefferson helped set the tone in a game that needed a spark. The New Orleans-area native, who played at LSU, caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray in the third quarter for Minnesota’s first offensive touchdown since Week 3. It was exactly the kind of moment the Vikings needed after struggling to finish drives.
Minnesota had opened the scoring with Will Reichard’s 40-yard field goal, but the Saints answered with a long 15-play march finished by Kendre Miller’s 2-yard touchdown run. Reichard then drilled a 54-yard field goal as the first half expired, trimming the Vikings’ deficit to 7-6.
The wildest swing came after Minnesota had moved back into position to score. Myles Price lost the ball on a short pass, Martin Emerson forced the turnover, and Jonas Sanker turned it into 87 yards the other way for a Saints touchdown. New Orleans missed the extra point, leaving the score tied at 13 instead of giving the Saints the lead.
Minnesota didn’t blink. The Vikings came right back with a six-play, 70-yard response, finished by Aaron Jones on an 8-yard touchdown run. Reichard’s extra point pushed Minnesota ahead 20-13 early in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings added another field goal to make it 23-13, and from there the defense took over. New Orleans never mounted another serious threat, and Byron Murphy sealed it with an interception of Tyler Shough on the Saints’ final push.
It wasn’t a spotless afternoon for Minnesota. Jones had earlier lost a fumble near the goal line, and tight end T.J.
Hockenson exited in the first quarter with a concussion and did not return. But the Vikings handled both setbacks, absorbed New Orleans’ biggest punch and still found a way to finish on top.
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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 🡒]