There is starting to be a repeatable pattern with this Vikings team. The defense is a super bowl caliber defense and the offense continues to hold the team back. Despite that, the Vikings roll into New Orleans 4-0 after a 15-10 win at home against the Miami Dolphins. There were signs of life from the offense in the second half. Kyler finished the game 13/14 for 120 yards and a 103 QB rating. The final two drives resulted in points and running enough clock off to keep Miami from getting a chance to win the game. We also saw the Vikings offense hit on a few big passing plays to Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson on deep seam and in cutting routes, which are staples of the KOC offense. Hopefully this is a start of a turnaround for this Vikings offense.
Game Information
Matchup: Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orlean Saints
Date/Time: 10/11/2026 12:00 CST
Location: The SuperDome
TV: Fox
Season & Weekly Vibe Check
Mood Meter:
š„ Elite Vibes
š Feeling Good
š Cautiously Optimistic
š Wait and See
š¬ Concerned
šØ Full Minnesota Panic Mode
This Week’s Mood: š Cautiously Optimistic
A downgrade from the prior week. Here is the simple reality. If the Vikings offense continues to stuggle, this is nothing more than a first round exit playoff team. If they can get decent production and QB play on offense, then I think we are looking at a legit Super Bowl contender. Until the offense shows us that though, I’m holding on to cautious optimism about the team and nothing more until proven otherwise.
The Vikings have a bad case of the injury bug right now
There’s a decent chance that the Vikings go into this game without their top two wide receivers in Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. Both are game time decisions this week. On top of that, we are missing Jordan Mason, Christian Darrisaw, and Donavan Jackson, who before the injury last week that has him out for the rest of the season was looking like a Pro Bowl caliber player. I know the Saints defense is bad, but if the Vikings manage to put up 21+ points and a win today. That will be a positive sign of things to come in my opinion. Can KOC get in his bag this weekend. Let’s hope so.
Around the NFC North
A quick recap of our division foes to round out the vibesā¦
The Vikings remain in the driver’s seat as far as the NFC North goes. They have two division wins already, and everyone else in the division has major flaws or is dealing with multiple injuries themselves.
The Packers beat a bad Tampa Bay team last weekend who were starting an undrafted rookie QB. Unless the Packers make dramatic improvements, their season could get wrecked quickly.
The Bears won at home with backup QB Tyson Bagnet. The Bears are beating the fraud and regression allegations at the start of the season, though they don’t really have a staple win at this point of the season yet either. They face off against the Packers in GB this weekend. A win here would have the Bears looking scary the rest of the way.
The Lions lost on the road to the Panthers in last week’s SNF matchup. The Lions are essentially the polar opposite of the Vikings. Elite on offense and terrible on defense. Letting Bryce Young go off for 308 yards and a 118 QB rating is a tough look. Similar to the Packers, if the Lions don’t turn it around on defense their season could be over soon.
Game Notes & Overview
The State of the Vikings
- Current Record: 4-0
- NFC Standing: 1st
- Last Weekās Result: W vs Miami
- Key Injuries: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, Donavan Jackson, Christian Darrisaw.
- Major Storylines: The injuries on offense are piling up. Let’s see what KOC and this unit are made of.
About the Saints
- Record: 1-3
- NFC Standing: 14th
- Last Weekās Result: L vs. Atlanta
- Key Injuries: Ryan Van Demark
- Major Storylines: Van Demark is the heartbeat of the Saints defense in the run game. With his absence the Saints got gashed by Bijan Robinson on Monday Night. The Vikings don’t have a Bijan Robinson on this roster, but the run game should be set up for a good day.
Three Things That Will Decide the Game
- Offense doesnāt have unnecessary turnovers
- Vikings offense and run game control time of possession and the clock
- Limit the big plays from Chris Olave
The Vikings are a better football team than the New Orlean Saints, even with all the injuries. I’m not anticipating a high scoring affair, and in fact, we might be in for another somewhat boring game in terms of points and chunk plays. If the Vikings offense avoids turnovers and just takes what the Saints defense gives them, they should be in full control of this game. Brian Flores has a career record of 29-4 against QB’s who have made less than 48 starts in their career. The Vikings defense is poised to rattle Saints QB Tyler Shough all day.
My Biggest Concern
There’s two things that concern me this week. One being the injuries. As already stated in the article, the Vikings are missing several key offensive players this weekend. This makes an upset more likely. The second is the Vikings pass defense has yet to face an elite WR this year. They get their first test against Chris Olave this weekend. Despite how good the defense has been, they are still vulnerable to big plays in the passing game. Part of it is due to the feast or famine nature of the defense, the other reason is the Vikings don’t have any high end talent in their secondary and rely heavily on their front seven to disrupt opposing team’s offenses.
Why the Vikings Could Win
The Defense makes another QB’s hell again allowing the Vikings offense to just control the clock, take the yards available to them, and score enough points to win.
Betting Corner
Best Bet
Pick: Vikings -1.5
Odds: -110
Why I like it: The Vikings are the better team, and this is a small spread to cover for a favorite.
Player Prop of the Week
Pick: Noah Fant Over 13.5 yards
Odds: -110
Why I like it: Fant has been a reliable safety blanket for Tyler Shough this season. The Saints are also down their starting RB and I expect them to throw the ball a lot.
Bets Iām Staying Away From
Pick: Kyler Murray Over 211.5 Passing Yards
Reason: The Vikings offense is likely short it’s top weapons on offense this weekend and should rely on their run game to control the clock. We might have to wait another week for the passing game to click.
Predictions
Just Win MNās Final Score Predictions
Jakeybigs: Vikings 24, Saints 20
Ben Vikings 13, Saints 31
Woody Vikings 24, Saints 19
Sean Vikings 19, Saints 13
Spread Prediction
Vikings -1.5
I think the Vikings win today. Might as well take them to cover too since the spread is so low.
Bold Prediction
Aaron Jones goes for over 100 yards again.
Bottom Line
The Vikings are banged up, but I still think have too much on defense for a young QB to handle therefor I think they improve to 5-0 today.
Game Prediction Tracker
Straight-Up Game Predictions
(Read our initial season predictions here)
Jakeybigs ā 3-1
Ben- 3-1
Woody- 4-0
Against the Spread
Jakeybigs ā 2-2
Best Bets
Jakeybigs ā 2-2.
That wraps our week 5 preview. Leave your comments where you think Iām right and where you think Iām an idiot. Either way letās hope the Vikings pull out a W and start the season off 5-0. Until then SKOL & JUST WIN MN!
