Looking Ahead

In an ideal NFL world, the bye week comes around the middle of a season. The undefeated Minnesota Vikings didn’t get an ideal schedule as they were handed a Week 6 bye. At least it gave some players a little extra time to get healthy. How long can the Vikings remain undefeated? Here’s a look at the remaining 12 games in front of them.

Looking Ahead:

Week 7:  vs Indianapolis Colts 

Week 8:  @ Detroit Lions

Week 9:  vs Buffalo Bills (MNF)

Week 10: @ Green Bay Packers 

Week 11: @ San Francisco 49ers - Mexico City (SNF)

Week 12: vs Atlanta Falcons

Week 13: vs Carolina Panthers

Week 14: @ New England Patriots (TNF)

Week 15: vs Detroit Lions (SNF)

Week 16: vs Washington Commanders

Week 17: @ New York Jets

Week 18: vs Chicago Bears

It’s always tough to predict what each game might hold. Before the season, it looked like the Vikings had a difficult first five games. Starting with games against division foes Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, most “experts” had the Vikings stumbling to a 0-2 start. The same experts perhaps saw a third loss at Tampa Bay before a get-right win over the Miami Dolphins. Then a 50-50 game against the up-and-coming New Orleans Saints. 2-3 might’ve been the start that many had for the Vikings. Instead, it’s 5-0 and the “experts” are explaining it away by pointing at an easy opening schedule. I guess, the five teams were considered challenging until the Vikings destroyed them. 

One game at a time, teams have to deal with whatever schedule is put in front of them. On paper, it would seem that the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, and New York Jets are the easiest matchups among the remaining 12 games. They are the only teams on the Vikings opponents with a losing record through six weeks. Those losing records can be deceiving as each of the four could have a winning record if some breaks had gone their way. Isn’t it always that way? The difference between winning and losing is often a fine line. Every team in the league can throw a scare into any team in the league. They might even steal a win. No matter the opponent, every game is a challenge in the NFL. 

It’s a very optimistic outlook but I truly believe that this Vikings team is nowhere near the team they can be. Most of that is because the offense is still searching for themselves. An honest assessment of the season so far has the Vikings offense as poor through the first three games and trending upwards in the next two. They are 5-0 and just scratching the surface of the team they could be. With the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers up in four of the next five games, the Vikings will have to get to where they can be in a hurry. 

I can see the Vikings winning each of the remaining 12 games. That isn’t realistic. Four of the games are against very good division foes. At worst, they split those games. That would give the Vikings a solid 4-2 record against the division. I’m hoping for at least 5-1 with the one loss being a bullshit loss to the Packers on that shit Lambeau turf. Beyond the division games, it’s the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday night and the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico that draw the most attention. Wouldn’t it be great if the Vikings and 49ers are still undefeated for that game? 

As long as they can dodge the injury issues that wrecked two of the past three seasons, I can see the Vikings navigating the rest of the season in a fashion that results in a 13-4 or 14-3 record. Hopefully, that’s good enough to secure the NFC’s #1 seed. 

Flea Flicker Week 6 Predictions

Is it really an NFL Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings aren’t playing. Week 6 is a bit early for a bye but the Vikings have a few injured players that can use a week off to get healthy. Anyway, here are some guesses at the Week 6 games.

Byes: Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Texans

A battle between AFC South foes. The Jaguars have had a real nice start to the season. The Texans have not. The matchup is also part of the NFL’s idiotic international series as the game will be played at Wembley. The Jaguars have the added benefit of having been in London for a second consecutive week. All of these international games present jacked-up logistics and that’s an added disadvantage for the Texans. So, I’m more hoping that the Texans win rather than thinking that they win. 

Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons rebound from the disappointing Sunday Night loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Ravens

The battle between the “old” Browns vs the “new” Browns.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts should handle the winless Titans.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

The Jets have caused problems for teams this season. The Patriots should handle the pesky team.

New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants

Pick: Saints

The Saints rebound from being stifled by the Vikings. The Giants move a step closer to J.J. McCarthy starting. 

Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers handle the unpredictable Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Steelers have yet to win on the road. The Buccaneers have yet to win at home. I should pick a tie. 

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams have “lost” two games the past three weeks they should’ve won. This feels like a “get right” game for them.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chargers

This Chargers team simply can’t keep losing. The Chiefs probably aren’t the best opponent for a team desperate for a win. 

Buffalo Bills @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Bills

Just a couple weeks ago, the Raiders were the darlings of the league. The Bills roll. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

Rematch of the Ice Bowl. It shouldn’t be as cold this time. 

Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers should become the league’s first 6-0 team. 

Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings have Week 6 off as they rest and recover after starting the season undefeated. 5-0 is a nice place to be at this early break in the season. It’s also a fine time to look back at some of the great players in franchise history. 

Other than winning the final, big game, the Minnesota Vikings have a strong history. Once they stepped away from their initial expansion team days, they have avoided having more than two consecutive losing seasons. That’s not a real high bar but it shows that they have avoided ever being woeful. Far more often than not, they are contenders. Their winning percentage since the NFL-AFL merger is among the best in the league. They have 16 Hall of Fame busts. A handful more deserve a spot. For a team with a history of 30-40 fewer years than many of their peers, that’s a very robust number. The Vikings just need a Super Bowl, preferably several. 

The Vikings have no shortage of players to populate the 27 positions on this Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team. Other than tight end, the offensive positions are mostly taken by Hall of Famers, soon-to-be Hall of Famers, or should-be Hall of Famers. Other than the line, the defensive positions are mostly wide open. Here’s a look at some of the best players in Vikings franchise history.

Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Fran Tarkenton

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

Fullback

Chuck Foreman

Typically, I think of Bill Brown as the Vikings best fullback. Chuck Foreman lined up as a fullback his first couple years in the league. He had a career worthy of the Hall of Fame. At his peak, he was arguably the best back in the league. He was definitely the most versatile back in the league. It’s fun to think of Adrian Peterson and Chuck Foreman in the same backfield. Peterson will receive his Hall of Fame bust next summer. 

Wide Receivers

Cris Carter

Randy Moss

Justin Jefferson

Due to the supreme talent available, I must go with three receivers. The Vikings second-team would be the first-team for many franchises. 

Tight End

Steve Jordan

Steve Jordan vs Kyle Rudolph. Both had excellent Vikings careers. If T.J. Hockenson extends his contract with the Vikings and has several seasons like his first season-plus with the Vikings, he will join the Vikings All-Time tight end argument. That’s a few “ifs.” We’ll see if it happens. 

Tackles

Gary Zimmerman

Ron Yary

Guards

Randall McDaniel

Steve Hutchinson

In doing these teams, I try to keep the players in the position that they played on the field. Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson are the two best guards in Vikings franchise history. Both played left guard. I can’t leave either off this team. I just can’t. On this team, Hutchinson flips to the right side. The best right guard in Vikings franchise history? That would be Ed White. 

Center

Mick Tingelhoff

Defense

Defensive Ends

Carl Eller

Chris Doleman

Jared Allen

Just picking the team’s Hall of Famers is lazy. If I had to go with only two? Today, the choice is probably Carl Eller and Jared Allen.

Defensive Tackles

Alan Page

John Randle

Alan Page and John Randle are the best defensive tackles in franchise history. Kevin Williams was damn great as well. They all played essentially the same position. If I were to put a run-stuffing nose tackle-type player on this team, then there’s a difficult debate. Henry Thomas, Pat Williams, and Linval Joseph. I’d probably have them in that order. When Joseph was on a roll, he’s an easy choice. He had the highest ceiling. Unfortunately, injuries often kept him from sustaining that ceiling level of play. 

Linebackers

Matt Blair

Eric Kendricks

Anthony Barr

It’s tough to leave out Chad Greenway, Jeff Siemon, and any of the Vikings first great trio of Wally Hilgenberg, Lonnie Warwick and Roy Winston. 

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield

Bobby Bryant 

Antoine Winfield is easy. The second corner spot comes down to Bobby Bryant, Carl Lee, and Xavier Rhodes. Maybe Nate Wright as well. Today, the choice is Bobby Bryant. His long, underrated career finally earned him a spiffy purple jacket and a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor. If Rhodes had played his entire career like he played for his 2-3 peak years, he’d be the easy choice to line up opposite Winfield. 

Safeties

Paul Krause

Harrison Smith

Not having Joey Browner on this team is a crime. In terms of skill/ability/talent, Harrison Smith and Browner are probably the best safeties in franchise history. Paul Krause intercepted an NFL record 81 passes. On a list of league records least likely to be broken, that’s at the top. He has to be on this team. So does Smith. 

Special Teams

Kicker

Ryan Longwell

Punter

Chris Kluwe

Kick Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson

Punt Returner

Marcus Sherels

Special Teams

Joey Browner

Joey Browner first made his mark on special teams. At least, it gets him on this team. He’s one of the greatest players in franchise history. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaches

The Minnesota Vikings are enjoying their Week 6 bye. While it’s a little early for a bye, the Vikings do have some injured players that could use the time to get healthy for the run through the rest of the season. An NFL bye week is a fine time to look at a team’s roster. If one were to look at the Vikings coaches, they’d find that there’s been a change since the group was finalized early in the offseason. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Assistant Head Coach: Frank Smith

Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips

Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores

Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Daniels

Offense:

QBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Josh McCown

Assistant QB/Pass Game Specialist: Jordan Traylor

Assistant Offensive Coordinator: Chris O’Hara

RBs/Run Game Coordinator: Curtis Modkins

Receivers: Keenan McCardell

Assistant Receivers: Derron Montgomery

TEs/Pass Game Management Coordinator: Ryan Cordell

Offensive Line: Keith Carter

Assistant Offensive Line: Derek Warehime

Offensive Quality Control: Kyle Caskey

Offensive Assistant: Ben Ellefson

Assistant to the Head Coach: Henry Schneider IV

Defense:

DL/Run Game Coordinator: Ryan Nielsen

Assistant Defensive Line: Patrick Hill

Outside LBs: Thad Bogardus

Inside LBs/Senior Defensive Assistant: Mike Siravo 

Assistant LBs: Dalmin Gibson

DBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Gerald Alexander

Assistant DBs: Chenzo Funari

Defensive Assistant: Charlie Frye

Defensive Assistant: Will Johnson

Defensive Assistant: Bobby McCain

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Chili Davis

***

My peculiar Vikings curiosity forces me to regularly check the coaches page on the team’s website through the season. Often it’s a quick look while I’m already on the site checking the player roster. During one of those recent checks, I discovered that Bobby McCain is listed among the Vikings coaches. The former defensive back last played for the Vikings in 2024. He hasn’t played since. After a 10-year NFL career, he’s apparently not done with the game. Along with former receiver Trishton Jackson, McCain joined the Vikings coaches during this past training camp as participants in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. Kevin O’Connell has often expressed a passion for helping players transition from playing to after-playing. It appears the Vikings liked what they saw in the coaching potential of McCain. I’m not sure why McCain joining the Vikings coaches came without an announcement of some sort. Maybe, I just missed it. This reminds me of the coaching evolution of former tight end Ben Ellefson. He was a player in 2022 and a coach in 2023 with no mention of the move. The transition was actually somewhat mysterious. For months, maybe even a year, Ellefson had no picture on the website’s coaching roster. These player-to-coach transitions happen often but the lack of attention is a little surprising. These days, everything seems to get attention. I guess an NFL team’s new offensive or defensive assistant somehow isn’t attention-worthy. Anyway, welcome, again, to the Vikings, Bobby McCain. 

Minnesota Vikings Pre - Bye Week Superlatives

The Undefeated Minnesota Vikings are sitting out the NFL’s Week 6 games as they are on bye. A break after five games is early but the Vikings do have several players that could use the time to get healthy. With that in mind perhaps a Week 6 bye isn’t such a bad thing. Five games in and the Vikings are 5-0. Record-wise, they couldn’t be better. Here are some of the players that were crucial to the terrific start to the season.

Minnesota Vikings Pre - Bye Week Superlatives

Offensive Player of the First Five Games

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

It’d be nice if quarterback Kyler Murray was an easy choice here. That would mean that the Vikings offense was off to a nice start and contributed significantly to the 5-0 start. Unfortunately, Murray didn’t start the season well and the offense has mostly been carried by the defense and special teams. Fortunately, Murray’s play and the offense, in general, was trending upwards the last two games. A significant reason for the Vikings early-season offensive issues was Kyler Murray being knocked out by a couple Green Bay Packers headhunters early in Week 1. He essentially missed two games with a concussion. That had to stall his growth in a new offense. Receiver Justin Jefferson also missed two games with an ankle injury. Murray and Jefferson didn’t play a full game together until Week 5. Is it any surprise that the offense finally found some rhythm in Week 5? 

All of that is to say that the Vikings offense has mostly struggled while the team started the season 5-0. Through those offensive struggles, Aaron Jones Sr. has been a warrior. The Vikings run game was supposed to be a combo deal with Jones and Jordan Mason. Unfortunately, Mason came out of the Week 1 game against the Packers with a thumb injury that required surgery. It landed him on injured reserve. Fortunately, he’s expected back when the Vikings return from their bye week. Mason’s injury resulted in the offense leaning on Jones for four games. For most of those four games, Jones carried the offense. 

Week 1 - Packers:

12 carries 

40 yards 

1 TD

Week 2 - Bears

23 carries

105 yards

Week 3 - Buccaneers

17 carries

58 yards

5 catches 

34 yards

Week 4 - Dolphins

20 carries

94 yards

4 catches 

34 yards

Week 5 - Saints

25 carries

113 yards

1 TD

3 catches

4 yards

Totals:

97 carries

410 yards

2 TDs

12 catches

70 yards

I don’t think the plan was for Jones to ever have 20 carries in a game. Through the first five games, he’s had three games with at least 20 carries. Jones has been the Vikings most consistent offensive threat through the first five games of the season. But he needs his backfield partner over the next 15 games.

Defensive Players of the First Five Games

All of Them. 

Other than the first half of the Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings defense has been brilliant. I still don’t understand what was going on in that first half against the Packers. It was as if the defense collectively missed their wake-up call and didn’t show up until the second half. The thing about the Vikings defense is that it’s very much a team defense. Dallas Turner, Jalen Redmond, Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Andrew Van Ginkel, or Byron Murphy Jr., etc. Players have simply taken turns wrecking opposing offense. Take your pick. The Vikings have a collection of impact players. Every starter and most of the backups have made impact plays in the five wins. The scary thing for the rest of the league is that the Vikings defense is just getting started. 

Special Teams Players of the First Five Games

Will Reichard, K

Myles Price, Returner

Like the defense, the Vikings special teams have been outstanding through the first five games. Over those five games, three Vikings players have been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Isaiah Rodgers

Myles Price 

Will Reichard

Isaiah Rodgers’ field goal block against the Chicago Bears in Week 2 was the play of that game. That was a season-defining play but the Vikings great special teams performance has been highlighted by Will Reichard and Myles Price. 

Myles Price showed kick and punt return potential as an undrafted rookie last season. This season, he’s shown far more than just potential. He’s been explosive. He’s been dangerous. In Week 3, he returned a punt for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His 68-yard kick return against the Green Bay Packers triggered the great comeback in that game. He’s averaging 29.8 yards/kick return with a long of 68 yards. He’s averaging a ridiculous 21.6 yards/punt return with that 86-yard touchdown. He’s returning kicks and punts with such confidence. The Vikings have a recent history of impact returners. Percy Harvin, Cordarrelle Patterson, Marcus Sherels, and Kene Nwangwu. Price looks like he’s on a path to join them.

Will Reichard is a beast. He might be as good at his job as any player on the roster. And the Vikings have Justin Jefferson on the roster. He’s gone nearly a year without missing a kick. He’s never missed an extra point. Not only does he not miss, nearly all of his kicks are through the middle of the uprights. 

Minnesota Vikings Bye Week Roster

The Minnesota Vikings are idle this week as they have a Week 6 bye. Week 6 is usually a bit early for a bye but this year it comes at a good time. The Vikings have a few players that could use an extra week to get healthy. 

Christian Darrisaw

Jordan Mason 

Jordan Addison

T.J. Hockenson

Justin Jefferson played in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of the previous two games. He could use a week of rest before he rips up the league for the remainder of the season. 

Oh, the Vikings are also undefeated while they rest up during this break. 5-0 is a nice start. Some have argued that the Vikings have merely raced through the “easy” portion of their schedule. Perhaps but that take would reflect poorly on media darlings and preseason contenders Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The Vikings started their five-game run with wins over their division foes. I’ve never understood why the Vikings are always tasked with defending the worthiness of a nice run of games. They can only play the teams the league puts in front of them. After the bye, maybe the Vikings will finally win a game that the “experts” find worthy. 

The bye week is a fine time to look at the roster. With the trade deadline a few weeks away, it’s a fine time to see if additions are needed. Fans always like a midseason blockbuster deal. Sitting 5-0, I’m not sure the Vikings need to do anything so bold. Season-ending injuries to tight end Josh Oliver and left guard Donovan Jackson would seem to highlight those positions. I’m not sure there’s a tight end in the league that could adequately replace what Oliver brings to the offense. I like Joe Huber as the current replacement for Jackson. So, I’m not sure if those are the positions that the Vikings must address through a trade. Adding depth at running back and safety are moves that might be considered. I don’t see any trade being of the blockbuster sort. But, I’m often wrong about things like this. Here’s a look at the Vikings current roster. 

Players on the roster now that weren’t on the initial 53-man roster are in bold. 

Minnesota Vikings Bye Week Roster

Offense (24)

Quarterback (3)

Kyler Murray

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back (3)

Aaron Jones

DeeJay Dallas

Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight End (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Gavin Bartholomew

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (9)

Christian Darrisaw

Joe Huber

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Michael Jurgens

Trevor Keegan

Defense (26)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker (5)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Kyle Van Noy

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (5)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Chuck Demmings

Zemaiah Vaughn

Safety (6)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jacob Thomas

Jakobe Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

***

There are only five players on the current 53-man roster that weren’t on the initial one. Quarterback Max Brosmer was promoted from the practice squad after J.J. McCarthy was traded to the New York Giants. Tight end Ben Yurosek and center Michael Jurgens were activated from injured reserve last week. Running back DeeJay Dallas and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy are the only players added to roster that arrived from outside the organization. I suppose it’s the constant player churn on the practice squad that makes it feel like more new players have populated the roster. When a player like Odell Beckham Jr. is sitting on the practice squad there’s always roster intrigue. It would be fun to Justin Jefferson and Beckham on the field together. 

5-0 and resting up on the bye week is a real nice place to be. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday 23-13. It really wasn’t that close. The Vikings are undefeated at 5-0 as they enter their Week 6 bye. Here are some of the players that made the big win over the Saints possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Kyler Murray, QB

The Vikings quarterback finally gets “player of the game” recognition. It’s a very welcome development. Kyler Murray finally looked comfortable and played in rhythm. 

24 completions

30 attempts

229 yards

1 TD

10 carries

51 yards

He converted first downs with his arm and with his legs. There’s a lot of room for improvement but Murray’s play against the Saints is close to the hope that many had when the Vikings signed him in March.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

Aaron Jones Sr.’s game must be mentioned.

25 carries 

113 yards 

1 TD

Through the first five games, Jones has been the Vikings offensive MVP. With the Week 1 injury to Jordan Mason, the Vikings have leaned on Jones in the run game. And he’s done it while dealing with a knee injury. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Once again, the Vikings defensive player of the game can be any of several players. Jalen Redmond, Blake Cashman, Dallas Turner, Eric Wilson. Take your pick. This really is a team defense. Despite all of that, Byron Murphy Jr. is an easy choice. He intercepted two of Tyler Shough’s passes. 

Special Teams Players of the Game

Jake Golday

Jeshaun Jones

Through four games, one of Myles Price and Will Reichard, and often both, were easy special teams choices each week. After ending the first half with a field goal, the Vikings special teams opened the second half with one of the plays of the game. On the second half’s opening kick return, Jake Golday forced a fumble and Jeshaun Jones recovered the football. Just like that, the Vikings had a scoring opportunity on the Saints 37-yard line. Six plays later, Justin Jefferson had a touchdown and the Vikings had a 13-7 lead.