The Vikings are carrying momentum into New Orleans, but Kevin O’Connell made it clear Wednesday that the clean-up work matters just as much as the win.
Minnesota heads to the Saints on Sunday at noon, and O’Connell spent his media availability stressing discipline, development and depth as the Vikings try to keep building after last week’s victory. The head coach pointed first to kicker Will Reichard, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after another perfect outing.
“All he does is work on the details and his craft,” O’Connell said. “The mastery of what he’s doing right now is really, really cool to see.”
Reichard’s steadiness has given Minnesota a different kind of edge. With the Vikings sitting atop the NFC standings, O’Connell said having a reliable kicker changes how he approaches games once the offense crosses midfield.
“It’s spectacular to know with a defense like we have and special teams playing the way they are, we can play games a little differently,” O’Connell said. “He just jogs out there and puts it through the uprights.”
That confidence will be tested in a road environment O’Connell knows won’t be easy. He described New Orleans as a tough setting and credited the Saints’ coaching staff under Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
“We’re well aware of the noise that we’re walking into and the energy of their fan-base,” O’Connell said. “We’ve got to respond with poise.”
The emphasis on poise comes after Minnesota was hit with a wave of penalties in last week’s win, including eight on offense. O’Connell said the issue has been addressed at every level.
“It’s been emphasized at a very high level,” O’Connell said. “Players are taking ownership of it.
We’re coaching it better. That starts with me.”
Even with the numbers drawing questions, O’Connell said he likes where the offense is headed, especially quarterback Kyler Murray. He pointed to Murray’s late-game work against Miami, when the Vikings held the ball for 14 minutes of the fourth quarter.
“I thought there was a lot to build off of for Kyler,” O’Connell said. “Seeing the field, fundamentals, putting the ball in play.”
O’Connell also said Minnesota has left explosive plays on the field because penalties have wiped them out, which has kept the offense from fully showing what it can do. His view is that the group is moving in the right direction.
“We’re ascending,” he said. “I love where we are in the win-loss column. I love where we are in the turnover margin column.”
He added that injuries have made it harder for the offense to find continuity, noting limited time on the field together for Murray and Justin Jefferson along with injuries at several other spots.
“Stats tell a story,” O’Connell said. “I don’t think they tell the whole story.”
The injury report brought some good news Wednesday. Jefferson, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and right tackle Brian O’Neill, who has knee soreness, were both expected to practice on a limited basis. Jordan Addison was held out because of minor hamstring soreness he picked up late in last week’s game, though the team hopes he can return later in the week.
Christian Darrisaw, who is in concussion protocol, and Chuck Demmings, who has a hamstring issue, were ruled out Wednesday.
Minnesota also added veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the practice squad, a move O’Connell said was tied to the team’s injury situation and Beckham’s familiarity with the offense. O’Connell and Beckham worked together during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl season in 2021.
“We can be a player or two away from needing to call upon guys,” O’Connell said.
He said Beckham should be able to pick things up quickly.
“I’ve seen him do it before,” O’Connell said. “The good thing about our system is there are some mechanisms he can quickly learn.”
O’Connell said Beckham looked healthy and explosive during action in August and September, and believes the time away may have left him refreshed.
“He feels like he’s got an extra bye week,” O’Connell said. “I can’t wait to see him out there.”
The Giants released Beckham Jr. in September.
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For Minnesota, the appeal is obvious, but so is the caution. The Vikings know the schedule is about to toughen up, and they are intent on protecting Jefferson for the long haul rather than rushing him back for a short-term boost. If he can keep trending the right way in practice, the next few days will tell a lot about how real this comeback chance actually is. [Read more 🡒]