Five games into the Kyler Murray era in Minnesota, the Vikings still haven’t taken a loss, and Sunday’s 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints gave them plenty to like.
The biggest difference felt obvious: Murray and Justin Jefferson were finally on the field together for most of the afternoon, and Minnesota looked much closer to the version of this offense people expected. After an injury in Week 1 limited Murray to just 11 snaps, and his last two starts featured only 18 snaps alongside Jefferson, the quarterback finally had some real rhythm with his top target. Murray finished 24-for-30 for 229 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 10 carries for 51 yards.
Jefferson, as usual, made the whole thing look easier. He caught six passes for 79 yards and hauled in an impressive 15-yard touchdown despite being triple-covered by New Orleans.
The defense kept the Saints from ever getting comfortable. Minnesota allowed just one offensive touchdown, gave up only 3.3 yards per play, and held New Orleans to 2-of-10 on third down. Byron Murphy added two interceptions as he continues to put together an impressive 2026 season.
Aaron Jones also kept grinding through the workload in the backfield. With Jordan Mason out since Week 2 and Jones dealing with a knee injury, Minnesota leaned on him heavily again. He answered with 25 carries for 113 yards and an eight-yard touchdown that pushed the Vikings ahead 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
The one downside was the growing injury list. Minnesota already entered the game without Mason, Jordan Addison, Josh Oliver, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson, and then T.J.
Hockenson left on the opening drive with a concussion. He was evaluated by the training staff and ruled out for the rest of the day.
The bye next week should give him time to recover before the Vikings return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
There’s also cleanup work ahead. Two lost fumbles - one by Jones and one by Myles Price - were the Vikings’ first two lost fumbles of the 2026 season, and they kept New Orleans in a game Minnesota had otherwise controlled.
And then there’s Will Fries, whose struggles are becoming hard to ignore. Minnesota handed the guard a contract worth more than $80 million in the 2025 offseason to anchor the right side, but his play was underwhelming last year and hasn’t improved much this season. On Sunday, he was beaten up for most of the game against the Saints, and right now it doesn’t look like he’s setting himself up to stay in Minnesota beyond 2026 unless things change fast.
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 🡒]