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Minnesota finally paired its defense with a complete offensive game. Kyler Murray completed 24 of 30 passes without a turnover, Justin Jefferson returned with 79 yards and a touchdown, and Aaron Jones ran for 113 yards. Brian Flores' defense then pressured Tyler Shough on half of his dropbacks. The Vikings were already winning with defense and field position. If Murray can keep adding this kind of efficient offense, the ceiling changes considerably.
Minnesota did not play in Week 6. The Vikings moved higher because their existing offensive and recent-performance profile improved relative to the league after the week's results, while Coaching Direction remained unchanged.
Minnesota's defense still starts with Brian Flores creating pressure from everywhere, but Week 5 finally gave that identity offensive support. Kyler Murray played clean, Justin Jefferson restored the vertical and contested-catch threat, and Aaron Jones gave the Vikings 113 rushing yards. When Murray protects the football, Minnesota can let the defense attack instead of asking it to carry the entire afternoon.
The quarterback competition is over, but Minnesota still needs more than Justin Jefferson to create sudden yardage. The Vikings found a 39-yard touchdown and a 29-point closing run against Green Bay, yet Kyler Murray's concussion also showed why the offense cannot depend on one player or one script to create its chunk plays.
Pick the winner.
Minnesota owns one of the tougher remaining roads in the league because Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 3 with an opponent average of 81.0 and 7 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers leaves little room for an off week.
Toughest remaining opponent: 
San Francisco 49ers at 89.5 PFM.
Shared profile: Coaching Direction and Defense.
Minnesota builds its defense around disguised pressure and changing fronts, while Pittsburgh gets to a similar place through front-four pressure. That means Minnesota can change the protection picture without sending extra rushers every snap, while Pittsburgh can rush four and still force the quarterback off schedule. Offense is the main separator because Pittsburgh has a stronger answer through the run game and play action after a defense removes the preferred call.
Minnesota Vikings sits 4th in the division, 4.5 PFM points from Chicago.
See the current Minnesota Vikings depth chart across offense, defense and special teams.
Minnesota's live roster lists only one player at defensive tackle, leaving the interior front unusually thin even with nose tackle depth. Adding a true defensive tackle is the clearest way to protect the defense against attrition.
Minnesota still needs certainty around its young quarterback path. The current roster carries only three quarterbacks, so adding competition or developmental depth would protect the offense if the starter stalls or misses time.
Byron Murphy is the established corner, but Minnesota's outside depth behind him is young and unsettled. Another cover player would help a defense that otherwise grades as one of the team's strengths.
6,196 F-S value
R1 No. 31 · R2 No. 62 · R3 No. 78 · R3 No. 95 · R5 No. 156 · …
Minnesota has made 4 trips to the Super Bowl without a championship.
