Vikings @ Saints
Final Score: Vikings 23, Saints 13
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1.bsky.social on Bluesky)
Three Up
- Aaron Jones – the veteran back is the stable workhorse of this run game in the absence of Jordan Mason, and he recorded his third straight RB1 performance with some hard, gutsy running
- Justin Jefferson – the star receiver showed exactly why this offense can’t function to a high level without him, with a dominant performance capped by a stunning catch off a better throw in triple coverage for his third score of the season.
- Kyler Murray – this could be the best start of his career – 80% pass completion record, no turnovers, a dime of a touchdown throw, and making things happen with his legs
Three Down
- Juwan Johnson – season lows across the board with only 14 total yards; the tight end is enduring his worst run as a pro
- Alvin Kamara – despite two scores on the ground last week, the veteran has been battling through niggling injuries, and they seemed to rear their head today as he amassed just 6 yards on 5 touches. Yikes!
- Jauan Jennings – the former 49er wideout has been non-existent so far in this offense despite injuries to both Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings paid good money for a viable WR3, but so far he isn’t a fantasy factor in this offense
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kyler Murray: 24/30, 229 Yards, TD, 2 Sacks | 10 Carries, 51 Yards
The former Cardinals signal caller made his best start as a Viking going 12-for-12 to start this game, and then balled out in the fourth quarter going 13-for-14 for 120 yards to go alongside his earlier insane throw to find Jefferson in the back corner of the endzone. Kyler looked comfortable and more attuned to the game plan than in recent weeks, with the return of Jefferson and the power running of Jones assisting heavily. There were still a number of offensive line issues, namely penalties, that stunted drives in the first half before the play calling from Kevin O’Connell found some rhythm after the break. Murray also extended the drive after the first interception twice by wheeling away from pressure early and scrambling to move the chains – Vikings fans haven’t seen a quarterback do that in some time.
Insane catch by Justin Jefferson, of course. But how about the ball placement from Kyler Murray? pic.twitter.com/6TavkGF4YG
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 11, 2026
Running Back
Aaron Jones Sr.: 25 Carries, 113 Yards, TD, Fumble (Lost) | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 4 Yards
Coming into the contest with 20+ touches in each of the Vikings’ last three games, Jones once again ran hard early and found success between the numbers. However, on third down at the Saints’ 10-yard line late in the first quarter, Jones fumbled the ball away under pressure from Chase Young. That could have been a disaster for a team that’s struggled to score touchdowns this season in the red zone, however, being the professional that Jones is, he came back out and put on a display of gut-punching, smart running to make up for his error. His second effort for his touchdown run was elite stuff.
Aaron Jones runs it in and puts the Vikings out in front 🔥@MINvsNO on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/O0wqkr3LTP— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Demond Claiborne: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
DeeJay Dallas: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 79 Yards, TD | 1 Carry, -11 Yards
Murray tried to immediately involve his star wideout, who was returning after a two-week absence with an ankle injury. He found Jefferson over the middle into the red zone on third down on the opening offensive drive of the game, but the play was called back for an illegal formation penalty. However, a 19-yard connection on third down on the next drive showed their developing chemistry. Jefferson made a mockery of the Saints’ secondary across the first quarter, after which he was treated to frequent double coverage. Another unbelievable grab on third down on the final drive of the first half saw Jefferson fight off Kool Aid McKinstry in tight coverage to haul in a laser from Murray to move the chains and set up a field goal attempt. Jefferson’s touchdown pass came off the back of a special teams takeaway from the Vikings right after the half. It was the type of aggressive throw and play the Vikings offense has been missing so far this season.
Justin Jefferson, what a grab!
📺: FOX/FOX One pic.twitter.com/sBTnSFmouR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 11, 2026
Gavin Bartholomew: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 33 Yards
The young tight end benefited from Hockenson’s absence with two key grabs on back-to-back drives in the first quarter. He mainly operated in the short passing game as a safety blanket as Hockenson does. He nearly hauled in a trick play between Jefferson and Murray, but he just got his fingertips on it and couldn’t hold on for what would have been a walk-in score early in the second half. He converted on third and short at the end of the third quarter to set up the Jones touchdown run.
Jeshaun Jones: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 32 Yards
Tai Felton: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards
We’ve not seen much of the former 2025 3rd-round pick in terms of a receiving threat so far, but a nicely run corner route on the opening possession of the game was rewarded with a pinpoint throw from Murray to hit him down the left sideline for a big 23-yard gain. Felton is seeing some extra run with Addison out, and he seemed to have more chemistry with Murray than free agent acquisition Jennings in this contest. Murray just missed him on a throw in the red zone to the right sideline in the third quarter before Price fumbled the ball away.
Myles Price: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
Electric in the kick and punt return game, Price was given more opportunity given injuries to the receiving corps; however, a fumble in the third quarter was returned by the Saints for a defensive touchdown to tie the game.
Ben Yurosek: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
T.J. Hockenson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Hockenson went into the blue medical tent on the Vikings’ second drive after landing heavily headfirst onto the turf under a tackle by two Saints defenders. He was put in the concussion protocol and ruled out for the rest of the contest.
Jauan Jennings: 1 Target
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Tyler Shough: 16/25, 96 Yards, 2 INT, Sack
After a poor outing last week in a heavy loss, Shough bounced back with two pinpoint short throws on consecutive fourth down attempts to march the Saints down the field for a go-ahead touchdown early in the second quarter on the back of the defensive takeaway. But that was about as good as it got for the young quarterback, who was fooled, bamboozled, and broken down by an elite defensive plan from Brian Flores. The former second-round pick struggled mightily with reading the field and could not operate under heavy blitz pressure. After the touchdown drive, he completed just 10 more passes in the entire game for a measly 62 yards, with two of their four second-half drives resulting in interceptions on poor throws. The first interception was after back-to-back penalties drove the Saints into needing a long conversion, which Shough tried to force while scrambling down the sideline on a broken play – he committed the cardinal sin of trying to throw back into the numbers from the sideline and was easily picked. Byron Murphy Jr. was responsible for both interceptions, the second being an ill-advised lob pass down the sideline. It was a “quarterback seeing ghosts” kind of throw. Offensive line penalties were a big issue too.
Byron Murphy Jr. comes up with the interception for the Vikings!@MINvsNO on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cwdzoH2gB6— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Running Back
Kendre Miller: 10 Carries, 30 Yards, TD
After a slow first quarter on offense, Miller was given some run with the football and showed toughness on a number of runs up the middle on the Saints’ touchdown drive, which Miller finished off with a punch up the middle from two yards out after he and CJ Donaldson handled the majority of the work out of the backfield. Miller had five straight rushes inside the Minnesota 23-yard line on the drive, which accounted for half of his overall contribution in the game. The Saints ran only a handful of plays in the second half and were chasing the game, so Miller also saw limited opportunities.
Alvin Kamara: 3 Carries, 12 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, -6 Yards
The veteran got the start in the backfield but made way for Miller in the red zone and on short-yardage situations on the Saints’ touchdown drive. He then hardly saw the field and may have been pulled for a spell due to injuries he was battling during the week. He did see one carry in the fourth quarter, but that was about it.
CJ Donaldson: 4 Carries, 13 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Chris Olave: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 46 Yards
The Saints have only one real threat through the air, and that is Olave, who has enjoyed a monster season up until this contest. That’s what Brian Flores and the Vikings’ defense do: take away the main threat and force teams to find other ways to beat them. The Saints fell far short. It started promisingly for Olave with a nice catch at midfield for 14 yards as the Saints went ahead on the back of Jones’ fumble. Olave caught another short pass on a big 4th & 2 call from Head Coach Kellen Moore only a few plays later on the same drive. He then pretty much disappeared like the rest of the offense in the second half, a lone catch out of the slot the only catch worth noting.
Devaughn Vele: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 26 Yards
With receiving options scarce in New Orleans, Vele has performed admirably over the first month or so of the season, and he made a great grab downfield midway through the third quarter only to see a 12-yard grab chalked off because of yet another offensive line penalty from New Orleans. He is a good route runner and has the ability to secure tough, contested catches. Hopefully he sees more usage in the coming weeks.
Juwan Johnson: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 16 Yards
Noah Fant: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Bryce Lance: 3 Targets