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The Vikings have started 5-0 for the second time in three seasons thanks to Sunday's 23-13 win over the Saints in New Orleans.

QB Kyler Murray picked up where he left off in Week 4 by completing his first 12 pass attempts and brilliantly placed the football to Justin Jefferson on a 15-yard touchdown that defeated triple coverage.

Aaron Jones, Sr., left the game and was listed as questionable because of a knee injury, but he motored around — and through — Saints defenders, particularly on his 8-yard TD (the 75^th score of his career).

The defense continued to play at the elite level that has been standard each week, and special teams provided a momentum shift early in the second half, as well as three more field goals by Will Reichard, who has made 34 consecutive field goals.

Up next is the team's bye, which should give several players a chance to rest and recoup.

Although we won't have quite as much content this week, I do want to mention Rob Kleifield has a longform feature of Adrian Peterson that will be published in multiple installments this week. I'm biased, but I highly recommend.

Before we get to the questions, I wanted to provide one more reminder about the Oct. 16 girls flag football grant application deadline. The Vikings and Hy-Vee are working together on a grant program to support the growth at high schools in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. The grants can help launch or sustain programs by reducing financial barriers to entry.

Vikes are 5-0. They were able to overcome two terrible turnovers with another impressive defensive effort that forced three New Orleans turnovers. Offensively, the Vikes ran the ball well — congrats again to Aaron Jones with 113 yards and a smash-mouth rushing TD. Efficient passing by Kyler Murray and great to see some really nifty scrambles to keep the chains moving. Welcome back Justin Jefferson with a critical catch and TD reception. Nice to watch a game where we didn't dig ourselves into a hole with a ton of penalties. Maybe the best aspect of today's game is the level of composure, grit and determination shown by the entire team to regain control of the game after New Orleans returned that fumble for a touchdown. Great effort again shown today by the offense, defense and special teams!

SKOL!!!

— Joe B.

How about those takeaways? There's no better correlating stat to the Vikings winning under Kevin O'Connell than the team finishing at even or better in turnover margin. Minnesota is 40-4 since 2022 under those circumstances.

The team devotes so much practice time refining methods to take away the football, and it showed up again when Jake Golday punched the football out on the first play after halftime. It was recovered by Jeshaun Jones, who had been elevated from the practice squad on Saturday and recorded his first career catch Sunday.

Sometimes the aggregate effects of pressure prompt opposing QBs to make mistakes. Byron Murphy, Jr., didn't mind that at all.

Tyler Shough threw one directly to Murphy while scrambling in the third quarter. Murphy also showed great range and tracking ability on a deep pass in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota only recorded one sack — props to Andrew Van Ginkel for extending Minnesota's streak with at least one to 33 games — but it was clear how much the threat of the pass rush affected the Saints.

The response to allowing the 87-yard fumble return TD began with forcing a missed extra point by former Viking Daniel Carlson to keep the score at 13.

The Vikings offense responded by driving 70 yards on just six plays.

I agree with the assessment that Minnesota showed composure, grit and determination.

Another crazy game, but I'll take the win. So sad the offense couldn't get out of its own way in the first half of the game. Not to mention the second red zone turnover and Saints defensive TD in the third quarter? The overall offensive incompetence is just staggering. The overall quality play of the defense is just as staggering. Here are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Beautiful punt return by Myles Price. Very nicely done! Too bad it was completely wasted.

2. The second-half-opening-kickoff turnover forced by the Vikings.  And Murray's scramble and TD pass to Jefferson. A remarkable throw and catch. Wow.

3. Aaron Jones' fourth-quarter TD. Nicely done. Followed by a nice drive to chew up clock and a Reichard FG to make it a two-score game. I am not sure what that bizarre double pass trick play attempt was even supposed to be or accomplish. We dodged a bullet on that one.

DOWNS:

1. Our first half offensive failures were over the top? I am so tired of pre-snap and dumb illegal formation penalties on offense. First drive of the game we lose a first down near the red zone? And two wasted timeouts and a fumble during one red zone drive. And the two holding penalties after Price's huge punt return? I am looking for my blood pressure meds after that first half performance, if you can even call it that? Our offensive incompetence is indeed staggering.

2. The Saints second quarter sustained TD drive. Our defense did everything except stop the Saints — allowing two fourth-down conversions, and then the Saints just power their way into the end zone running the ball. Fifteen plays and more than 7 minutes? Not a good look for the defense.

3. We couldn't close out the game at the four-minute mark on offense.

The offense is definitely not fixed, and Murray is not the problem. This offensive mediocrity and inconsistency will come back to bite us this season. Looking forward to the Colts already.

Respectfully,

— Jeff L.

The offense showed signs of its development thanks to more time on task with Murray at QB. It's also worth noting the group was without Christian Darrisaw at left tackle (Ryan Van Demark filled in for him), and Joe Huber was making his second career start, where he is replacing Donovan Jackson. Minnesota already is without tight end Josh Oliver and lost T.J. Hockenson for the day after the first pass play. Jordan Addison was unable to play because of a hamstring injury, and Jordan Mason remained out from his Week 1 hand injury.

The Vikings turned to trickery a couple of times, but neither play resulted in the desired success. The first attempt involved backfield laterals before Murray barely overshot Gavin Bartholomew.

The second involved a cross-field lateral by Jefferson that was nearly intercepted on its way back to Murray.

What a game for the Vikings, improving to 5-0. It stinks that T.J. Hockenson suffered a concussion on the second play of the game, but the other TEs picked it up in his absence. Kyler Murray needs to be aware of the clock, but other than that, he did a good job using his feet to get yards and out of trouble. He did have a nice throw to Justin Jefferson for one of the Vikings touchdowns. Aaron Jones, Sr., did an awesome job getting over 100 yards for the game and scoring the other touchdown. The defense did a great job holding the Saints to only 13 points for the game. When the Vikings get Jordan Addison, Hockenson and Jordan Mason back, they will be a lot better offensive team. With the addition of Odell Beckham, Jr., he will be able to contribute if Jefferson or Addison get hurt. Now to the bye week.

SKOL VIKINGS!

— Matt from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kudos to Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek for the way they filled in for Oliver and Hockenson, helping out as receiving targets and blockers.

Beckham had been elevated on Saturday along with Jeshaun Jones, but the Louisiana native was inactive Sunday. Minnesota will be able to elevate Beckham for two other games before any other roster mechanics.

The Vikings love what Aaron Jones has provided while Mason has been out but look forward to taking some of the load off the veteran's plate.

VIKINGS WIN 23-13! SKOL! Another win is a win, but I'm still not sold on Kyler Murray. I know it's only been two games, but let's remember we just played the New Orleans Saints, who aren't exactly a powerhouse.

3 POSITIVES

Aaron Jones showed up! 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Finally, a running game that takes some pressure off the quarterback!

The defense continues to carry this team! Held New Orleans to just 142 total yards, 9 first downs, and 2-for-10 on third down. That's dominating football!

Murray showed improvement. Completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. Justin Jefferson added 79 yards and a TD. The offense controlled the ball for nearly 40 minutes.

3 NEGATIVES

I'm still not convinced Murray is our guy! Yes, the numbers looked good, but this was against a struggling Saints team. I need to see him do it consistently against a legitimate defense before I start buying in.

Two turnovers and missed opportunities! You cannot keep giving the football away. Going 2-for-4 in the red zone isn't going to cut it against better teams.

Only 23 points? We had 364 yards, dominated time of possession, and doubled their first downs. Against a team like New Orleans, we should have put this game away much earlier.

BOTTOM LINE: I'm happy with the win, and our defense deserves a ton of credit. But I'm not ready to jump on the Murray bandwagon after two games, especially against weaker competition. The running game looked better, but this offense still has a lot to prove.

— Toby in Alaska

It seemed like there were multiple moments of growth within the offense for Murray, but I don't think he would claim to be where he wants to be yet.

Murray connected with 10 different teammates for at least one reception Sunday. Pass protection had some nice moments, but Murray also showed his rare mobility, including on an 18-yard scramble that picked up a third-and-10.

Limiting the Saints to 142 yards of offense was incredibly impressive. New Orleans netted 5 or fewer yards on six of its nine possessions.

It is rare in my 42 years as a Viking that I have enjoyed a game as much as this.

Seeing our defense dominate again on the road, our special teams continue to be an asset, when so often this part of the game has been our Achilles heel, and now a quarterback and an offense that brought something special.

We were that good we also seemed keen to score seven points against ourselves, just to keep it exciting.

5-0, a bye week ahead, some big names to come back in. Whisper it, but the future's bright, the future's Purple.

Skol,

— Ian Bowden, the Southport Viking in Southport, U.K.

The defense and special teams units are ranked atop or near the pinnacle of plenty of stats. The offenses of Minnesota's five foes have combined for five scores this season. That is some Scroogelike stinginess.

The task will now be continuing that momentum after the bye.

We are 5-0 and literally limping into the bye week. It couldn't come at a better time. The injuries are piling up, and there is so much that needs to be cleaned up. Way too many recurring negative things.

The offensive line committing penalties that are killing drives and taking away third-down conversions. Way too many wasted timeouts or delay of game flags because K.O. can't get personnel and a play into the huddle within 40 seconds. Turnovers in the red zone. They have to clean that up before the brunt of the upcoming schedule.

The offense, however, is looking better. Murray looks comfortable and confident. Quick throws are moving the chains, Jones is grinding, and Murray finally remembered he has legs. It feels like they are so close to taking off. They could be unbeatable if that's the case.

The defense has been incredible. Although it seems like there's one possession every game the opposing offense goes down the field at will. Can't make it easy ever. The pressure, QB confusion, and turnovers will continue to win games.

The special teams have mostly been great. Very strong coverages, Myles Price has been phenomenal with his returns, and the punting has flipped field position when needed. And what can we say about Will the Thrill!!! He's incredible, and confident. It's nice to not have to watch field goals behind covered eyes.

It's a great start, but all that matters is how a team finishes.

— Roman B. (Surprisingly optimistic in Grand Forks, North Dakota)

The breather should allow coaches to self-scout and emphasize things the team wants to refine for the final 12 games of the regular season.

Price is so fun to watch because it's an explosive play waiting to happen. Reichard is a fun watch because his approach is so smooth from his confidence that does not overreach to cockiness.

Seems to me a problem with the Viking offense is how we seem to run the play clock down to the last few seconds so often. It doesn't seem to allow our QB time to examine the defense. I believe the wordiness of K.O.'s offensive system is a contributing factor in some of our issues with our offensive consistency. Especially with a QB learning the system.

Thoughts?

— Rick in Blaine

The Vikings have had somewhat of a revolving door throughout the offense this season, making it difficult to establish and maintain continuity. We have heard some lengthy play calls in the past, but I haven't heard one said this season.

Ideally the Vikings will eliminate the delay of game/needing to take timeouts to avoid those penalties in future games.

To the doubters, naysayers, skeptics and those simply uninformed, the progress by the Vikings offense won't seem significant. 211 passing yards? Ironically, pedestrian. 153 rushing yards? Impressive, but not a shocking number. 9-for-18 on third down? Yawn. But if you showcase some key plays, you can see the offense is finally pulling its share of the weight. Most teams would not survive the game shifting scoop and score by the Saints. Teams with defensive scores win a huge amount of the time. At one time I remember seeing a statistic around 90%. A touchdown or even field goal on that Viking drive vastly changes the game plans for both teams. And yet, Kyler Murray moved well in the pocket. He used his legs to sustain drives. He found receivers on key downs. How about a triple-covered Justin Jefferson TD in his home state? The running game did not suffer despite injuries on the OL and the RB room. The passing game functioned efficiently despite key injuries at TE and WR as well.

The Vikings offense has yet to play its best game with its best players and yet, the team is 5-0. The doubters, et al, won't notice, but Vikings fans get it. This is a very dangerous team holding a two-game division lead entering a bye week to get healthier.

Special teams, notably including Will Reichard, continue to stand out. And the defense needs to start being recognized for more than defensive coordinator Brian Flores. It's a different player or group almost every week, but there are stars playing defense in Minnesota. I'd also like to use this space to recognize the 2026 rookie class. Many rookies played significant minutes today and played with distinction. That is noteworthy.

Finally, the clashes between the Vikings and Mike Ditka's Bears are well-documented. But on a day when the Vikings played in New Orleans, it's worth noting the Saints coaching tenure by Mike Ditka. The 1998 Vikings faced Ditka and his Saints that season in the Metrodome, a venue Coach Ditka regularly mocked. He was a character and a worthy adversary.

Get healthy, Vikings.

Skol!

— Jeff in Sacramento, California

Jeff did a good job of outlining the numerous positives that showed up at various points in the game.

I wouldn't discount going 9-for-18 on third downs because converting that many times helped Minnesota possess the football for 39:37. The nine first downs gained on third downs by the Vikings equaled the number of total first downs by the Saints.

Minnesota is averaging more than 33 minutes of possession time a game. Opponents, by the way, have only converted 14 of 63 third downs.

Sunday marked the first time Minnesota had trailed in a game since Week 1, but the Vikings were unflappable, especially after New Orleans' 87-yard fumble return TD.

Speaking of iron resolve, I really appreciate Jeff bringing up "Iron Mike" Ditka, who definitely kept things interesting in his press sessions. I was volunteering for an event years ago and happened to meet Coach Ditka in passing. He was gracious and friendly in that five-minute interaction, and it's something I've sincerely appreciated.

SKOL for 5 – 0 into the bye!

Building blocks of win No. 5 included, but were not limited to:

1. T.O.P.: Second game in a row with nearly 40:00 time of possession.

2. DISCIPLINE: 4 penalties (30 yards), down from 11 (85 yards) vs Dolphins!

3. OFFENSE: Lots of weapons employed! Two touchdowns!  Let's get more!

4. DEFENSE: Defends the NORTH! Two interceptions for Byron Murphy!

5. SPECIAL!:  Will — 40, 54, 55! Myles – nice punt return — 43 yards!

6. QB: Kyler gets more comfy — using legs well + big pass to J.J. for the TD into TRIPLE coverage!

Looking for:

1. HEALTH: Positive vibes for our injured Vikes!

2. DISCIPLINE: Protect that football

3. OFFENSE: Keep the ascent with red zone efficiency

4. SUPER BOWL: Nick Shook isn't "buying in." FINE! Vikes can just win, win and WIN!

SKOL PEOPLE!!

— Tim in Brooklyn, New York (Vikings fan since 1974)

We'll cap things with this note from Tim.

As many of you know, we post Power Rankings and Expert Picks each week as a roundup of predictions from across the web.

I was quite surprised when some of the national media forecasted 23 or so points for the Saints, given what Minnesota's defense has done since halftime of Week 1.

Shook writes for NFL.com. He moved Minnesota down two spots in his rankings last week and wrote the following: "I'll admit that I'm not buying in. I think the Vikings are one of the most fraudulent 4-0 teams you'll ever see."

We will have Power Rankings again Tuesday (obviously no Expert Picks this week), so we'll see if Shook's view of the Vikings has changed.

Ultimately, Power Rankings and Expert Picks are for entertainment, but the field of play every week is what really matters.

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