The Vikings handled their business against the Dolphins and stacked another win although you would not know it based on a lot of the comments here (and elsewhere). It does not matter that the team has been without one of the best receivers in the NFL for basically the last two games. It does not matter that the main running back that shares duties with Aaron Jones has been out. It does not matter that the left tackle got a stinger and concussion and missed most of the game. It does not matter that the starting left guard tore is meniscus and missed most of the game and now will be out for the season. All that matters is that Kyler Murray is not playing like an All Pro Quarterback, KOC is not calling a great or even good game (as if these commenters would know – they dont), and the team “gave up” on JJ McCarthy.
It is going to take time for folks to get over the fact that the people who were with JJ every day, in all the meetings, on the practice fields, etc. decided that it was time to move on.
I am not worried about the offense nor do I expect it to be at peak level right now. Assuming they make the playoffs, I want to see the offense peaking right before the playoffs which is 13 more games from now. Any complaints now are premature and just silly. The offense has not had all the presumed starters together yet. Hopefully, Jefferson will play this week so at least he and Kyler can start to build more chemistry. He caught two passes on two targets for 38 yards before hurting his ankle which is a good sign. Once they get Mason back it should be even better. Missing Donovan Jackson is going to hurt but maybe there is a move that can be made to bring in some extra linemen. It never is the move you expect though. Just like after the draft when the team signs undrafted free agents. Quite often they sign players I never heard of to be honest.
I am wondering if there is a lineman the team could trade for either as a backup to Huber or maybe even to start? The team did sign Trevor Keegan who is 6’6” 320 and started 37 games for Michigan winning the title there too. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Eagles in the 2024 draft. The Eagles released him in August of 2025 but their line is tough to crack. He is on the Vikings 53 man roster so the new GM, Nolan Teasley thinks highly of him. I doubt they make any moves besides maybe adding someone to the practice squad.
The Saints game will be a tough test for sure and the offense needs to pick it up more. I expect they will especially if Jefferson is back. I don’t know but when Kyler Murray can complete 27 out of 37 passes (73%) for 247 yards without Jefferson while not turning it over then that is a very good thing and I am hoping he does similarly the rest of the way. That is all the team needs right now. Just incremental improvements as the season progresses.
I know it wont stop the hand wringers but what can you do?
You play to win the games!
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Kevin O’Connell Updates Donovan Jackson Injury, Recaps Kyler Murray’s Final Stretch Against Miami
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-oconnell-updates-donovan-jackson-injury-dolphins
After a strong start to the season, Donovan Jackson’s second NFL campaign is being cut short.
The Vikings left guard injured his knee against the Dolphins Sunday, and imaging taken Monday confirmed a torn meniscus that will require surgery.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to media members and said the injury will “likely end his regular season” based upon early prognosis.
“Donnie’s gotten off to a great start this year. Unbelievable offseason and ascending player,” O’Connell said. “A temporary setback for him, but very, very excited about Donovan Jackson the player, and we’ll support him and love him up, and he’ll still be a big part of that O-line room and culture here as we move forward.”
Though it will be a challenge to replace Jackson, O’Connell spoke highly of the job Joe Huber did stepping in for him and noted coaches have been “really excited” about the interior lineman since signing him in 2025 as an undrafted rookie.
“He’s physical. He’s a smart player, has spent a lot of time really diving in, working,” O’Connell said. “Whether it’s been with [center] Blake [Brandel] or his reps he’s taken at center, I think it’s opened up his viewpoint and his ability to impact at [multiple positions].
“But yeah, it’s definitely going to be something we’ve got to work through, and Donnie, I would definitely say was an impact player for us,” O’Connell added. “High expectations for Joe. I know his teammates have him, [offensive line coaches], they have high expectations for him, and we’ll do whatever we can to support him and expect him to play well.”
According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, Huber did not allow a sack or hit of Kyler Murray in 71 snaps. Ryan Van Demark, who played 36 snaps in place of left tackle Christian Darrisaw, also was not assessed with allowing a sack or a hit.
Darrisaw exited the game in the second quarter with a neck injury but then returned. He later left again, however, to be evaluated after a different play and is now in the concussion protocol.
“Working through initial stages on that,” O’Connell said. “I’ll keep you posted throughout the week on where he’s at.”
Center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek, who have been on Injured Reserve, will begin practicing this week and be evaluated.
No 1. Murray’s final stretch
O’Connell described encouragement after watching the way Kyler Murray finished Sunday’s game.
The Vikings QB completed 12 of 13 passes in the fourth quarter, highlighted by gains of 27 and 22 yards, respectively, to Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
O’Connell said he and Murray are spending “more and more time together” either in 1-on-1 situations or working on game plans and playbook processing.
“Even though we’re in Year 5 [of this offense] and we may call it something all of our players know, it might be the first time since either an install in the spring or training camp he’s hearing it,” O’Connell said. “I thought there were some plays where he was really comfortable in a game where the Dolphins pass rush — whether it was via stunts or some of the pressure packages — they were able to get to him a few times.
“There was a firm feeling to his footwork and his drop and then getting through progressions,” O’Connell added. “I thought he had some huge backside throws to move the chains to T.J. late in the game, and then he used his legs a couple times to create some extra time and put the ball in play or take off and get us some yards.”
No 4. Defense at another level
Minnesota’s defense has been playing at an incredibly high level through the first four games.
Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores has had success with his unit since joining O’Connell’s coaching staff in 2023, but are there reasons the group seems to be even more effective early this season?
O’Connell said he’ll take time over the Week 6 bye to break that down even more with defensive coaches, but he provided a high-level answer Monday.
“I think I’ve felt the impact of the d-line, the fits of guys and their roles within the defense … it can sometimes look like chaos, but it’s an organized symphony of guys making sure [in regards to stopping the run, whether we’re pressuring to it, away from it … it feels like we’re doing some fundamental things at a really high level,” O’Connell said. “Building a wall, defeating blocks, guys defeating double teams, the cutback player being right where they’re supposed to be. And then our tackling has been really, really good, which is eliminating some of the leaky yardage that people can get.
“And then Flo’s spinning the dial on a lot of different looks,” O’Connell continued. “And a lot of those guys have been out there playing together for a long time. Whether it’s Harry (Harrison Smith) stepping in for those known passing situations, whether it’s Dallas Turner’s ascension — I mean, another really impactful day for him yesterday. I think Dallas is in the perfect spot in the defense. I think Gink’ (Andrew Van Ginkel) is in the perfect spot. Having [Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman] is so huge, and then you’ve got I.P. (Ivan Pace, Jr.) who can be an absolute thumper and a problem for people. The corners are playing really well, and obviously the safeties group is always a strength for us.”
The undefeated NFL team that can’t score touchdowns
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings-nfl-kyler-murray-rcna601720
“We’re very excited about being a 4-0 team,” coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday. “But at the same time, we know there’s so much work to be done.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray said after Sunday’s 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins: “Again, the defense was holding it down for us. They went out there and did it again.”
…
“I tell our guys all the time, if we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down a certain way,” Flores said before Week 3. “We’re going to go down blitzing people.”
“We do need to score more points and finish some of those drives with touchdowns,” O’Connell said.
Murray, so far, has turned in a season that looks more rough than a revival. Of the 35 passers who have started at least two games this season, Murray ranks 30th in passer rating and is tied for last with just one passing touchdown. He appears to still be working out chemistry with his offensive line. On Sunday, he took the blame for miscommunication that sparked five pre-snap penalties. He also has been sacked 11 times, two off the league’s most.
“Obviously all 11 guys have got to be on the same page, but it starts with me,” Murray said. “So we’ll be better at that.”
…
The win over Miami included a caveat. Late in the fourth quarter, tight end T.J. Hockenson caught a pass only a few yards from the end zone but chose to go to the ground rather than go for a score to extend the lead. The move kept the clock running, allowing the Vikings to effectively ice the win.
“It was tough,” Hockenson said. “I saw that goal line and I wanted it, but it’s for the betterment of the team that we ended on offense.”
Even if Hockenson had scored, though, it wouldn’t have healed all that ails one of the NFL’s most pitiful offenses to this point.
“I told our guys, ‘If we want to score, we should do it earlier,’” O’Connell said.
Vikings Balance & Ownership of Final Frame Prove Significant Against Dolphins
https://www.vikings.com/news/balance-ownership-final-frame-significant-against-dolphins-week-4
Even without a touchdown, the offense dictated the flow of Sunday’s game, running 72 plays to Miami’s 37. Kyler Murray completed 73% of his attempts for 247 yards and committed no giveaways, and Aaron Jones, Sr., paced the rushing attack with 20 carries for 94 yards. Overall, it was the 10th game under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell that the offense tried 30-plus passes and rushes and netted at least 200 yards through the air and 100 yards on the ground. Minnesota did it once in 2025, twice in 2024, five times in 2023 and once in 2022.
The Vikings are 8-2 in such games, for what it’s worth, with their losses occurring in Weeks 11 and 15 in 2023 by four points combined to the Broncos (21-20) and Bengals (27-24 OT).
Minnesota possessed the ball for 14 minutes … in just the fourth quarter Sunday. It contributed to the second-highest TOP in a game (39:11) in the O’Connell era, after 42 minutes and 19 seconds in Week 10 at Jacksonville in 2024, which, coincidentally, featured only field goals (John Parker Romo had four in relief of Reichard in a 12-7 win vs. the Jags).
The Dolphins drew within 2 points near the end of the third frame but only had time for a quick three-and-out after the Vikings extended their lead to 5 due to the offense finding a groove.
That series by the Fins was sandwiched between 15- and 11-play Vikings drives that marched 60 and 84 yards, the latter of which ended in victory formation after T.J. Hockenson selflessly surrendered a probable touchdown on his 13th catch of the day to retain possession and a new set of downs with 2 minutes to play. Miami had exhausted its timeouts prior to the 2-minute warning.
Those 26 plays and 14 minutes seemingly juxtaposed the home team’s experience to the visitor’s youthfulness. Murray completed his final nine passes and went 12-for-13 with a passer rating of 102.6 in the fourth quarter to drown the Dolphins chances of a comeback. His go-to target for the duration of the game but especially in that stretch was Hockenson, who nabbed six of his 13 receptions in closing time. And one of Murray’s sharpest throws of the day was a 27-yarder to Jordan Addison, with 4:22 left, that he fit over the head of LB Jordyn Brooks in a void that was encircled by three defenders within a few yards of the receiver.
Eight times, the Vikings executed a play for 15 or more yards, one better than they did at Chicago for the most in a game this season and tied for the second-most in a game since 2024, with the performances against Cleveland and Dallas last year (Minnesota logged nine such plays in Week 18 in 2025 versus a Packers defense that rested several starters).
Sunday’s tally involved rushes by Jones for 15 and 19, and a catch-and-run for 15, and Murray clipping five other passes for 15-plus (a trio to Hockenson and a pair to Addison).
Murray was particularly dialed on throws that traveled 10-19 yards; he went 5-for-7 with 103 yards on those attempts — a stark improvement from his 1-for-5 showing in Week 3. Also, it’s worth noting Murray excelled on quick passes (under 2.5 seconds) and did not try a single pass of 20 or more air yards according to Next Gen Stats after hitting three in Week 3.
Vikings-Dolphins reaction: Refs steal the show and what’s wrong with Kyler Murray?
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/vikings-dolphins-reaction-refs-steal-the-show-and-whats-wrong-with-kyler-murray
Vikings kicker Will Reichard just can’t miss, unless it’s the home crowd roaring for him
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-kicker-reichard-just-cant-015830054.html
5 immediate takeaways from the Vikings’ grotesque win over the Dolphins
https://thevikingage.com/5-takeaways-minnesota-vikings-win-miami-dolphins
Minnesota Vikings offense suffers another brutal blow, and it will impact every aspect of Kevin O’Connell’s unit
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/minnesota-vikings-offense-suffers-another-brutal-blow-donovan-jackson-season-ending-knee-injury/
What We Learned: Minnesota Vikings continue to win ugly, with reasons to be excited and concerned
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/what-we-learned-minnesota-vikings-continue-to-win-ugly-kevin-oconnell-kyler-murray/
The Vikings Are 4-0 and Both Sides of the Argument Are Right
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-are-4-0-and-both-sides-of-the-argument-are-right/
Vikings are Leaving Door Ajar for WR1 Boost
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-are-leaving-aja-wr1
Vikings Ranked No. 3 by Bucky Brooks After Untraditional 4-0 Start
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-ranked-no-3-bucky-005751472.html
There are no excuses for the Vikings offense against the Saints
https://bringmethesports.com/there-are-no-excuses-for-the-vikings-offense-against-the-saints
Every NFL Team’s Most Sensible Trade Asset Ahead of Week 4
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25505547-every-nfl-teams-most-sensible-trade-asset-ahead-week-4
Minnesota Vikings: LB Ivan Pace Jr.
Former Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. joined the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he quickly made an impact on their defense. He appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, made 11 starts, and finished with 102 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
While Pace was also a prominent contributor in his second season, he’s slowly fallen out of the defensive game plan. He made just six starts in 2025, and he’s only occasionally seen the field this season.
Pace has appeared in all three games but has played nearly twice as many special-teams snaps (76) as defensive snaps (40).
Keeping Pace as depth in Brian Flores’ defense would make some sense. However, he’s playing on a one-year deal, and Minnesota could save more than $3 million by trading him. Pace should draw some interest from teams in need of linebacker help.
Chicago Bears: TE Cole Kmet
Dallas Cowboys: TE Luke Schoonmaker
Houston Texans: C Jake Andrews
Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Aidan O’Connell
Los Angeles Rams: TE Colby Parkinson
New Orleans Saints: QB Spencer Rattler
Philadelphia Eagles: DT Moro Ojomo
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Mason Rudolph
Seattle Seahawks: QB Jalen Milroe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Kenny Gainwell
Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:
While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm
No discussion of politics or religion
Leave the gender hatred at the door
Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags
No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away