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The Minnesota Vikings are one of three teams that are undefeated through five weeks and that is clearly a notable achievement for head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the rest of the coaching staff and the Vikings players. They have joined the 49ers with a 5-0 mark, while the Chiefs are 4-0 since they just had their bye week.
The Vikings have their bye in Week 6 and they will return to action in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts (2-3). They will clearly be favored at home in that game, and based on their Week 5 victory over the New Orleans Saints, they should have an excellent chance to win that game.
The Vikings are in familiar territory. They also started the 2024 season with a 5-0 record and had their bye in Week 6 that season. When they returned, they lost back-to-back games, but they were in contention for the top seed in the NFC as they rolled to nine consecutive wins. The Vikings were 14-2 as they headed for a decisive regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions.
If the Vikings had won that game, they would have won the NFC North title and the top seed in the NFC playoffs. They lost that game and their season came to a conclusion the following week as they were beaten in the Wild Card round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams.
2026 Vikings defense far more accomplished than ’24 team
There is quite a bit of difference between the ’24 team and this year’s version. Sam Darnold had taken the helm of the Vikings offense and the team had a big-play offense and a solid defense.
This year’s team has a dominant defense and outstanding special teams. The Vikings have struggled quite a bit on offense until their Week Five victory over the Saints. They are still trying to find their way with newcomer Kyler Murray at quarterback. They are not as accomplished on that end as the ’24 team.
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Brian Flores was building a defense that season, but they were way down the rankings charts in yardage allowed and passing yards allowed.
The Vikings ranked 15th in yards allowed in 2024 at 335.4 yards per game. They were particularly vulnerable through the air, ranking 28th as opponents passed for 242.0 yards per game.
Those figures are a far cry from this year’s team, as the Vikings rank first in fewest points allowed at 12.8 per game, second with 251.2 yards per game allowed and third with 173.2 passing yards per game.
Flores has built a defense that is led by Dallas Turner and his team-leading 5.5 sacks. Linebacker Blake Cashman leads the team with 42 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery.
If the Vikings offense can start to string productive games together, the Vikings have a chance to fight for the top spot in the NFC North as well as one of the top seeds in the NFC playoffs.
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This story was originally published October 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM.