The perfect start to the 2026 season has continued for the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota improved to 5-0 behind yet another stellar defensive performance that led the way to a 23-13 win against the New Orleans Saints, and honestly, it looked way more lopsided on the field. Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s victory.
1. Kyler Murray’s Cleanest Game Yet
There has been a lot of chatter about how Kyler Murray’s performances early this season. The veteran QB came into Sunday’s game with just 433 passing yards and a single passing touchdown with two interceptions over his three starts.
Sunday was a far cleaner game for Murray as he threw for 229 yards and a touchdown to Justin Jefferson. The day included 11 straight completions to begin the game, and he showed off his elusiveness in the pocket to pick up 51 yards on the ground.
Much of the criticism of Murray this season has been warranted, but he deserves plenty of credit for Sunday’s win.
2. A Gritty Aaron Jones Performance
With Jordan Mason out the past few weeks because of injury, Aaron Jones has fully taken the mantle in Minnesota’s backfield. While Jones did fumble to ball in this game, leading directly to a Saints touchdown drive, he surpassed 100 rushing yards for the second time in the past four weeks and barreled his way to an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the Vikings up for good.
The 31-year-old running back has been a crucial piece to Minnesota’s success and now has surpassed 400 rushing yards on the season.
3. Defense Shuts Down Saints Late
Outside of their Monday Night Football debacle against the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints have been known for chaotic finishes to games and putting up points in the fourth quarter.
Coming into Sunday, the Saints had put up 45 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Vikings defense held them to zero points in the fourth quarter, and outside of a 15-play second quarter touchdown drive, New Orleans got virtually nothing on offense all game long.
This is just what we have become accustomed to for the Minnesota Vikings on defense this year. They came into this game allowing just 12.8 points per game, the best in the NFL, and the Saints put just 13 points on the board again on Sunday, essentially exactly what the Vikings have averaged. If the Vikings just have to get to 14 points to win, they can compete with anyone in the NFL.
4. The Bye Couldn’t Come at a Better Time
The Vikings are 5-0, but they have injuries starting to stack up, particularly on offense. Jordan Addison and Christian Darrisaw were both ruled out for Sunday’s game after Donovan Jackson was lost for the year last Sunday. Jordan Mason is yet to suit up for a game this year, either.
Making matters worse, Minnesota also lost T.J. Hockenson early in this game after he hit his head hard on the turf. This is the perfect time for the Vikings’ bye week to roll around to let some players who have missed time heal up ahead of a difficult post-bye stretch while also letting Jones, Murray, and Jefferson clean up their bumps and bruises.
5. A Two-Game Lead in the NFC North
Even if the Vikings had not won on Sunday, they still would have held sole possession of first place in the NFC North. With the win though, they now have a two-game lead in the division already. It comes as a result of the Green Bay Packers demolishing the Chicago Bears at home while Minnesota earned their win against New Orleans.
It’s still early in the season, but any advantage you can put together in what is expected to be a tight division race will play a role down the stretch of the season.
Editor’s Note: Information from ESPN and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.