The Minnesota Vikings extended their win streak to ten games, dating back to last season, with a 23-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints on the road. The Vikings were able to overcome a couple fumbles on offense with elite defense and special teams and an otherwise methodical offense led by Kyler Murray. The game was more lopsided statistically for the Vikings, who held the Saints to their lowest yardage output in five years offensively and dominated time of possession and most other statistics.
A Saints fumble recovery for a touchdown kept the game closer in the second half than it was otherwise.
The Vikings road win takes them to 5-0 heading into their bye-week with a dominant #1 defense, elite special teams, and an ascending offense that will get Jordan Mason, Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson back from injury. They also have a two-game lead in the NFC North division race.
Stock Up
Kyler Murray. He played nearly flawless football, moving the chains with his arm and feet en route to 24/30 (80%) for 229 yards and a TD passing, 109.6 passer rating, plus an additional 51 yards on ten carries on the ground. That combined for an 81.3 QBR, highest of the season for the Vikings. He also had an 86.2% adjusted completion percentage, which is a gauge of accuracy, with no turnover-worthy plays.
Byron Murphy Jr. He turned two gifts from Tyler Shough into two interceptions and otherwise allowed just 3 receiving yards in coverage.
Isaiah Rodgers. He allowed just one reception for a 5-yard loss and had a pass breakup to deny a third-down conversion.
Team Defense. Brian Flores’ unit doesn’t really have any superstars. But they don’t really have any weak links either. The combination of an aggressive scheme that is challenging to play against with players that don’t make many mistakes and are relentless is suffocating for opposing offenses.
Jake Golday. He had the forced fumble on special teams and had already been an elite special teamer this season.
Risk and Reward
Aaron Jones. He had 113 yards on 25 carries (4.5 ypc) and a touchdown, but also a turnover in the redzone that cost the Vikings points.
Myles Price. He had some nice returns again and a couple nice receptions, but his fumble was returned for a Saints touchdown.
Justin Jefferson. He had a couple incredible catches- including a key touchdown catch- and 79 total receiving yards, but also a turnover-worthy pass that should have been a turnover on an ill-advised trick play that should probably be deleted from the playbook. It was technically a fumble as a backward pass that the Vikings recovered.
Stock Down
Ryan Van Demark. He had a couple penalties that proved to be drive killers. He also allowed 3 quarterback pressures. Can live with a couple quarterback hurries, but can’t have the penalties.
Buy
Vikings ability to win with a ball possession offense combined with a dominant defense and elite special teams while missing some key pieces on offense. The Vikings had the top defense and special teams units in the league prior to the Saints game, and the results only widened the gap with the second-best units.
Sell
Vikings offense continuing to be near the bottom of the league. Kyler Murray is slowly getting more comfortable and confident running the Vikings offense despite missing some key pieces and missing two games himself. And after the Vikings bye-week, they will get Jordan Mason, Jordan Addison, Christian Darrisaw, and T.J. Hockenson back.
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