Minnesota Vikings beat writer at Star Tribune; track/cross country ass't coach at Apple Valley and Augsburg. Husband, girl dad, sinner saved by grace.
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824

@bengoessling.bsky.social
Minnesota Vikings beat writer at Star Tribune; track/cross country ass't coach at Apple Valley and Augsburg. Husband, girl dad, sinner saved by grace.
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824
T.J. Hockenson is headed into the medical tent after hitting his head on the Superdome turf on the Vikings' second offensive play.
Access Vikings postgame ep. discussing the Vikings' win over the Saints is live now. @bengoessling.bsky.social, Chip Scoggins and I talk about that Justin Jefferson TD, the offense feeling more settled, continued def. and ST success, etc.
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever: youtu.be/YRSHYcDqGD4
According to TruMedia, Kyler Murray was 21 of 24 today for 204 yards and a touchdown from the shotgun or pistol; he was 3 of 6 for 35 while under center. His 114.2 passer rating from the shotgun or pistol was his best of the year.
Kevin O’Connell on Aaron Jones: “What a warrior over these last few weeks. Aaron would hate for me to say this, but his ability to be a warrior on game day, find a way to make it to the next one, and just be able to be leaned on the way he is, he's an inspiration to this group.”
Vikings will win 23-13, to head to their bye week at 5-0. With the Packers closing out a win over the Bears, the Vikings will have a two-game lead on the entire NFC North, to go with wins over Green Bay and Chicago. Kyler Murray: 24 of 30 for 229 and a TD, with 51 rushing yards.
Will Reichard's streak is at 34 field goals, with 11 in that streak of at least 50 yards, after he's good from 55.
One more time with the story on how Reichard trains to hit from long distance: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings showed a six-man rush, brought four and got an easy pick when Byron Murphy sat in wait for Tyler Shough's throw. Shough is 10 of 14 for 57 yards and a pick.
Justin Jefferson set up that touchdown by playing through contact from Saints safety Jonas Sanker. He's gotten so much better at playing through physical coverage in recent years, and he set that play up by meeting Sanker with force.
Justin Jefferson ends the Vikings' 14-quarter streak without a touchdown in style. Kyler Murray hits Jefferson in triple coverage for a TD. That's the Vikings' first touchdown since the second quarter of the Buccaneers game, and Jefferson gets to Griddy at the Superdome.
The Vikings start the second half with a takeaway, as Jake Golday strips Jayden Price. Jeshaun Jones, who got the nod over Odell Beckham in part because of special teams, recovered the fumble. First down on the Saints' 37.
The Saints are honoring Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees at halftime, after Brees was inducted as a first-ballot HOFer this summer.
It's 7-6 Saints at halftime, after Will Reichard hits his 33rd field goal in a row from 54 yards out.
That's Reichard's 10th make in this streak of at least 50 yards.
What a catch from Justin Jefferson on a bullet from Kyler Murray for 21 yards
Myles Price has two punt returns for 57 yards, after that 43-yarder down the Vikings' sideline when the Saints got caught inside.
Aaron Jones, who just came out of the medical tent, is questionable to return with a knee injury.
Two trips inside the Saints' 25 have resulted in three points for the Vikings, after the Ryan Van Demark penalty that wiped out a third-down conversion and Khristian Boyd's strip of Aaron Jones.
That's a 10-for-10 start from Kyler Murray, who hit Justin Jefferson for 19 yards after pulling the ball down and rolling right.
T.J. Hockenson is out for the Vikings with a concussion
Vikings lead 3-0 after Will Reichard extends his streak of consecutive FGs to 32, but Ryan Van Demark's illegal formation penalty wiped out a Kyler Murray-to-Justin Jefferson conversion on third down.
According to the Fox broadcast, T.J. Hockenson (concussion evaluation) is questionable to return. The Vikings are already down to Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek (who returned from IR today) at tight end, with Josh Oliver out for the season.