364 yards to 142. If not for a couple red zone fumbles, this would've been a Vikings romp. Good teams find a way to overcome mistakes and win anyways.

Recap: https://t.co/CtoxplX4WP

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 11, 2026

Vikings survive fumbles, reach 5-0 as offense improves in win over Saints

Outside of a couple poorly-timed fumbles, the Vikings’ offense was a lot better on Sunday in New Orleans.

The Vikings are 5-0. More importantly, their offense might be finally catching up to their incredible defense and special teams.

Kyler Murray, Aaron Jones, and Justin Jefferson led a much better offensive performance on Sunday in a 23-13 Minnesota win over the New Orleans Saints. If not for a couple poorly-timed fumbles in the red zone, this could’ve been a blowout win for the Vikings, who got another great game from Brian Flores’ defense and another perfect outing from their machine of a kicker, Will Reichard.

The final score doesn’t reflect the way the Vikings dominated this game. They won the yardage battle 364-142. They possessed the football for over 39 minutes. They held Saints QB Tyler Shough to 96 yards on 25 attempts. Offensively, they averaged 5.4 yards per play.

Two plays kept the Saints in this game. With the Vikings up 3-0 and threatening to add on late in the first quarter, Jones lost a fumble at the New Orleans 7. The Saints returned it to their own 34 and proceeded to embark on a 15-play, 66-yard drive that they capped with a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.

Then, late in the third quarter, disaster struck again for the Vikings. Leading 13-7, with a chance to at least tack on a field goal, Myles Price caught a short pass and fumbled at the New Orleans 12. Saints defensive back Jonas Sanker scooped it up and went 87 yards the other way for a touchdown. That made it a tie game (the Saints missed the extra point).

But the Vikings didn’t get rattled. They responded with a crisp 70-yard drive on just six plays, using a Jones touchdown to go back in front. The defense continued to dominate and didn’t let the Saints even get close to mounting a comeback. Reichard hit another long field goal to create some separation.

Murray was extremely efficient for the Vikings, completing 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a spectacular touchdown to Jefferson early in the third quarter. He also ran 7 times for 54 yards prior to a few kneeldowns to end the game. Murray was a big reason why the Vikings were able to convert 9 of their first 15 third down attempts.

Jones ran 25 times for 113 yards and a TD. The Vikings didn’t lose any faith in him after an ill-timed fumble. Jefferson caught 6 passes for 79 yards and a TD. The Vikings put together this offensive performance without two starting offensive linemen, Jordan Mason, Jordan Addison, Josh Oliver, and T.J. Hockenson, who left with a concussion on the game’s second play. Gavin Bartholomew caught five passes for Minnesota. 10 different players caught at least one pass.

Defensively, the Vikings got two interceptions from Byron Murphy Jr. and a forced fumble from rookie Jake Golday on special teams. Reichard hit all three of his field goals, stretching his streak to 34 straight makes.

The Vikings are 5-0 as they head into their bye week. They have every reason to be feeling great about where they’re at. They’ll host the Colts in Minneapolis in two weeks.