Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints: Week 5 Game Guide (2026)

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-13 on October 11, turning a tight Week 5 game into a 10-point road win with a decisive fourth-quarter advantage. Minnesota led 3-0 after the first quarter but trailed 7-6 at halftime. The teams were tied 13-13 after three quarters before the Vikings produced the game’s final 10 points while holding New Orleans scoreless in the fourth. With no play-by-play supplied, the box score cannot establish individual scoring order or a single turning point, but it clearly shows Minnesota separating late. At quarterback, Kyler Murray gave Minnesota a substantial advantage in both production and ball security. Murray completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and posting a 109.6 passer rating. He also added 51 rushing yards on 10 attempts, including an 18-yard long run. New Orleans sacked him twice for 18 yards in losses, with Carl Granderson recording 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss, but that pressure did not produce a Murray turnover. Justin Jefferson supplied the leading receiving line and Minnesota’s only passing touchdown. He caught six of seven targets for 79 yards, averaged 13.2 yards per reception and had a long gain of 21. The passing game also drew useful contributions from several secondary options. Gavin Bartholomew caught five passes for 33 yards, Jeshaun Jones turned his only target into a 32-yard reception, and Tai Felton added 27 yards on two catches. Ten Vikings recorded at least one reception, giving Murray multiple sources for his 24 completions. The running game had a clear centerpiece in Aaron Jones Sr., who carried 25 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. His 4.5-yard average and 19-yard long run complemented Murray’s work on the ground. Jones also caught three passes, although they produced only four yards. Minnesota’s offensive concern was fumble security: Jones lost one fumble, and Myles Price lost another. The Saints converted one of their recoveries into direct scoring, as Jonas Sanker finished with a fumble recovery and a fumble-return touchdown. That kept New Orleans competitive despite its offensive limitations. Minnesota’s defense created the stronger overall turnover line. Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted two passes, returned them for 14 total yards and added two passes defended. Those interceptions matched the two thrown by Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. New Orleans also lost a fumble, giving Minnesota three takeaways against two giveaways. Andrew Van Ginkel recorded the Vikings’ sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit, while Blake Cashman led the supplied Minnesota defensive rows with nine tackles. Shough completed 16 of 25 passes but gained only 96 yards, an average of 3.8 per attempt, with no passing touchdowns and a 38.1 passer rating. Chris Olave led the Saints with four catches for 46 yards, while Devaughn Vele added four receptions for 26 yards. The rushing touchdown came from Kendre Miller, who had 30 yards on 10 carries. Alvin Kamara was limited in the supplied lines to 12 rushing yards on three attempts and minus-6 receiving yards on two catches. Special teams gave Minnesota two notable sources of value. Will Reichard accounted for 11 points by making all three field-goal attempts and both extra points, with a long field goal of 55 yards. Price contributed 83 yards on three kickoff returns and 57 yards on two punt returns, including a 43-yard punt return. His 140 combined return yards came without a return touchdown, but the field-position production was significant in the overall statistical picture. The result rests on three well-supported strengths: Murray’s efficient, interception-free passing; Jones’ 113-yard rushing performance; and a defense that held the Saints to 96 passing yards while generating three takeaways. Minnesota was not mistake-free, as two lost fumbles directly strengthened the Saints’ scoring profile, and Murray took two sacks. Even so, the Vikings received points from Jefferson, Jones and Reichard, won the quarterback comparison by a wide margin and owned the fourth-quarter scoring line. Those differences explain the 23-13 final without requiring an unsupported drive-by-drive account.

• Kyler Murray completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown without an interception, while adding 51 rushing yards.
• Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted Tyler Shough twice as Minnesota generated three takeaways and held New Orleans to 96 passing yards.
• Will Reichard scored 11 points, making all three field goals—including a 55-yarder—and both extra-point attempts.