The Minnesota Vikings are unbeaten, but not everybody is ready to crown them as a real Super Bowl threat.
NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt made that clear Wednesday on “First Take,” where he said he expects Minnesota to be quickly bounced from the postseason.
"I think they're one and done in the playoffs," Brandt said.
Minnesota’s start has been powered by a Brian Flores defense that has been flat-out stingy, giving up a league-low 12.8 points per game. But the offense has been another story. Under new quarterback Kyler Murray, the Vikings sit 29th in passing offense.
Brandt’s skepticism centered on Murray, especially his history in the playoffs. Murray’s only prior postseason outing came four years ago, when he went 19-of-34 for 137 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
"There’s a lot of people who are all in on the Vikings, who I think have short, selective memories about Kyler Murray," Brandt said. "...
The fact is, he has never been a guy in the big time. Never.
We’ve never seen it. We talked about this, Jordan [Rodgers].
One playoff game ever. I don’t think he was on this planet for that playoff game.
It was one of the strangest performances I have ever seen."
Brandt said he wants to see Murray take over a game before buying in. Minnesota could get that kind of test soon, with matchups against the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers waiting after the Week 6 bye.
"Just give me one week where he says, 'I got us. I'm the captain now.
I'll get us 36 points and win 36-34.' I don't know if he has that gear in him," Brandt said.
"And you're gonna get to the playoffs, and good for you. You went 12-5, or whatever they're gonna go.
San Francisco is there. Dogs are there.
Veterans are there. I don't know if Kyler Murray is that guy in a January playoff game who's like, 'I got us.
We're down four with two minutes left? I got it.'
I just don't think he's that guy, and I can't trust the team when he's not."
In Other News...
Vikings Suddenly Face A Big Question About Their Early Edge
Through five weeks, the Vikings have spent much of the season looking like one of the leagues most opportunistic defenses, and that has been a big part of why theyve stayed in the conversation early. The weekly numbers also show how quickly the turnover picture can shape the standings, with Minnesota sitting near the top of the league in takeaways alongside Las Vegas and still benefiting from a defense that has given the offense extra chances.
The concern now is whether that early edge is still as sturdy as it looked a couple of Sundays ago. Minnesota has not been getting the same splash plays lately, and the timing matters with a Week 6 slate that will keep the pressure on every team trying to separate itself from the pack. If the takeaways slow down, the Vikings may have to prove they can keep winning without the shortcut that helped them build momentum in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Cris Carters Advice To Justin Jefferson Says Plenty About Vikings QB Drama
The quarterback carousel around Minnesota has been hard to ignore, even with the Vikings off to a 5-0 start behind Kyler Murray. Justin Jefferson has handled the constant change better than most stars might, putting together 19 catches for 258 yards and three touchdowns in four games while still trying to build the kind of timing that usually comes only with stability under center.
Cris Carters counsel helps explain Jeffersons public restraint, since the former Vikings receiver urged him to avoid airing complaints about the quarterback situation. Jefferson has been open about being frustrated by the lack of consistency, but he has stopped short of turning that into a public issue, choosing instead to keep working with Murray and let the on-field connection speak for itself. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings May Have One Missing Piece In Their Undefeated Start
The Vikings are still sitting among the NFLs unbeaten teams after Week 5, but the path theyve taken has looked a little different from the leagues other early heavyweights. Their offense has not matched the kind of efficient production usually associated with top contenders, which has led some around the team to look for a more sustainable formula than simply asking the quarterback to carry everything.
Minnesota does have pieces of that formula already in place. The defense has been the best in the league at keeping opponents out of the end zone, and special teams has taken a step forward as well. The remaining question is whether the ground game can become sturdy enough to round out the formula and give the Vikings the kind of balance that could keep their unbeaten start from feeling fragile. [Read more 🡒]