VikingsTerritory Breakdown - A Minnesota Vikings Radio Show

The Minnesota Vikings lost 19-15 to the Detroit Lions in Ford Field on Sunday. It was bound to happen—only one team has won all their games (the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who might still be recovering from their champagne hangover). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What are we to make of these Minnesota Vikings? They beat Indianapolis Colts 16-10 Sunday to go to 6-0 and become the only remaining undefeated team in the league. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Minnesota Vikings return from their bye week in pretty good shape. At 5-0 and atop the NFC North Division, they have some players returning from injury and, last we checked, were starting to get some decent play from the offense and the leader of that offense, quarterback Kyler Murray. As Murray will be a key to the rest of the season, the continued stellar play of the defense and special teams will be also be vital. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray had his best game as a Viking, both by land and by air. He threw for 229 yards with 80 percent accuracy and picked up three first downs with his feet, scrambling for 51 yards. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There was some life late from the Vikings offense—Murray’s stats in the fourth quarter were 13 of 14 for 120 yards, 102.4 passer rating and a “would-be” touchdown to Hockenson. That is a sign for hope at the QB position—one we have been looking for since last season. And they have the chance to tee it up again next week and see if they can build on it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It must be said (yet again): a win is a win is a win. But the offense, which scored only one touchdown, amassed just 230 yards and never had a down in the red zone the entire game, things must improve. Certainly, it was Kyler Murray’s first full game in his new offense; certainly, losing Justin Jefferson to an ankle injury in the first quarter alters the game plan; and, certainly, the Bucs are a good defensive team despite their 0-3 record. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the land of weird happenings in the NFL—often taking place at Soldier Field when the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are playing—another installment occurred on Sunday. The Bears’ offense was coming off a prodigious effort last week (scoring eight touchdowns for 59 points) yet scored just three points against Brian Flores’ defense. The Vikings beat the Bears on the road 9-3 (with some timely help from an injury to Caleb Williams late in the contest), and they now sit atop the NFC North division with a 2-0 record.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the 132-game history of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers rivalry, there have been some doozies. And the game played on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium ranks right up there with the most remarkable ones. The Vikings beat the Packers 39-22 at home in the opening game of the season, outscoring the visitors 29-3 in the second half of a game that looked all but over in the third quarter. The game turned on head coach Matt LeFluer’s decision to take points off the board, and then the floodgates opened, leading to an improbable victory in downtown Minneapolis that will long be remembered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They kept the rookie punter Brett Thorson over the veteran Johnny Hekker, cut running back Zavier Scott, traded backup tackle Walter Rouse and picked up a guard and center off waivers. The roster work leading up to the first game of the season is never done. Nor is the speculation work ever finished for the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com. We will have all the latest moves by the Purple and comments on plenty of it. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While it is just a meaningless preseason game, the team’s performance instills little confidence in the QB position as the opening weekend for the 2026 season fast approaches. Murray did see some action in the joint practices with the Ravens at TCO Performance Center and didn’t fall on his face (nor did he ball out). And since no one lined up behind him to wrest the mantle of starter from him and instead muddied up the backup position, the handwringing of Purple Nation will continue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.