Kyler Murray delivered a vintage performance Sunday in his third start with the Minnesota Vikings, scrambling more times in a single game than at any point since 2020 to lead the team to a 23-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Murray scrambled out of the pocket seven times for 54 yards, converting third downs on three of those plays. He also made several off-schedule downfield throws after breaking the pocket, including a 32-yarder to receiver Jeshaun Jones and an 11-yarder to running back Dee Jay Dallas. He did so while the Vikings played most of the game without four injured offensive starters: left tackle Christian Darrisaw, guard Donovan Jackson, receiver Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
"I think that's what today called for," Murray said. "Not trying to go out and force it or anything like that. When it's there, it's there. It kind of ignited us offensively in moments." He added that today "kind of turned back the clock a little." Murray entered the NFL in 2019 as a dual-threat quarterback who rushed for 1,363 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, but he has cut back on scrambling as injuries and schemes changed.
Murray also looked increasingly comfortable in the passing game, completing his first 12 attempts and finishing 24-of-30 for 229 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson against triple coverage in the third quarter. Since the third quarter of Week 4, Murray has completed 40 of his past 48 passes. Coach Kevin O'Connell said the performance gave the team plenty to build on.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing