Jones breaks fourth-quarter tie as Vikings beat Saints, 23-13, to reach 5-0

Aaron Jones broke a fourth-quarter tie with an eight-yard touchdown run, and Minnesota beat New Orleans 23-13 on Sunday to enter its bye week with a 5-0 record.

Jones rushed for 113 yards on 25 carries. His winning score came with 14:06 remaining, giving the Vikings a 20-13 lead after turnovers had kept the Saints within reach. Will Reichard later added a 55-yard field goal, while Minnesota's defense held New Orleans to 142 total yards.

The Vikings had to recover from an early mistake by Jones. His first-quarter fumble near the Saints' goal line gave New Orleans the ball, and Kendre Miller finished the ensuing drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Reichard's 54-yard field goal as the half expired trimmed the Saints' lead to 7-6.

Minnesota took control immediately after halftime. Jake Golday forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, and Jeshaun Jones recovered at the New Orleans 37. Kyler Murray kept the drive alive with an 18-yard scramble on third-and-10, then found Justin Jefferson for a 15-yard touchdown on another third down.

Jefferson, returning after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, caught six passes for 79 yards. His scoring catch between Saints defenders put Minnesota ahead 13-7 with 12:06 left in the third quarter.

Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted Tyler Shough on New Orleans' next possession. The Vikings drove back into scoring range, but Myles Price lost a fumble after a short catch. Saints safety Jonas Sanker returned it 87 yards for a touchdown; Daniel Carlson's missed extra point left the game tied at 13.

Minnesota's video shows Murphy's first interception, which preceded the Price fumble.

Minnesota answered with a drive that included Jeshaun Jones' 32-yard reception and Aaron Jones' 19-yard run. Jones finished it with the touchdown that restored the lead, powering through Julian Blackmon on his way to the goal line.

Murray completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He added 51 rushing yards. Minnesota gained 364 yards and converted nine of 18 third downs, keeping its offense on the field while the Saints struggled to sustain possessions.

Shough finished 16 of 25 for 96 yards and two interceptions. Both went to Murphy, whose second takeaway ended another late Saints possession. New Orleans converted two of 10 third downs and fell to 1-4 with its third straight loss.

Gavin Bartholomew added five catches for 33 yards after T.J. Hockenson left early with a head injury. Minnesota returns from its bye to host Indianapolis on Oct. 25; New Orleans visits the Giants next Sunday.

Sources

Official team game report · ESPN: final box score, play-by-play and Associated Press game report · Vikings–Saints postgame report