MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Vikings remain undefeated in the United States and abroad. Only the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs share a 5-0 record as we approach mid-October. So what’s next for the Vikes after their narrow victory over the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets in London? Here’s the latest from CBS Sports writer and Vikings insider Cody Benjamin:
News pieces
Run back Aaron Jones (hip) is considered “week to week” after leaving the Week 5 win, head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed. While the team doesn’t expect Jones to have a “long-term” injury, the new designation suggests the former Packers star is a long way from being in the lineup when Minnesota returns from Week 6. This is a tricky point: On the one hand, the Vikings benefited greatly from Jones’ electricity, encouraging a quick return. On the other hand, Jones has a checkered medical history, and the Vikings likely prefer him to be healthy for the long term. All signs point to Ty Chandler taking a bigger share of the carries in the coming weeks.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison had a lawsuit related to his suspected off-season DUI postponed until December. It is increasingly unlikely that he will face any NFL discipline resulting from the case until the 2025 season.
Insider buzz
Chandler has the speed to do well in place of Jones at running back, but there’s no doubt the latter’s absence robbed quarterback Sam Darnold of some consolation against the Jets in Week 5. Don’t be surprised if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah explores trade market options for additional backfield depth. A year after he and head coach Kevin O’Connell signed a deal for former Los Angeles Rams starter Cam Akers, Dameon Pierce and former Viking reserve Ameer Abdullah should be watched as potential targets. Another wild card, given Adofo-Mensah’s previous deals with NFC North rivals: Chicago Bears backup Khalil Herbert.
The big picture
There’s no more sugar-coating: the Vikings are legit. However, two straight close games, plus a Week 5 outing where Darnold finally looked human, means the Week 6 bye actually comes at a decent time. In the grand scheme of things, going 5-0 after what seemed like the toughest part of the 2024 Viking schedule is huge. Matchups with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams from the bye won’t be a cakewalk, but there is a realistic scenario in which Minnesota is 10-1 in December.
Around the North
The Lions (3-1), who got a near-perfect game from Jared Goff in Week 4, will visit the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday and then travel to US Bank Stadium for what could be a battle for first place in the North in Week 7. The Packers (3-2), who live and die by Jordan Love’s gun-slinging, will rest on their bye before taking on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7. The Chicago Bears (3-2) appear to be finally hitting their stride , fresh off a loss to the Carolina Panthers before accepting the Jacksonville Jaguars.
