NEW ORLEANS — Justin Jefferson highlighted his return to Minnesota’s lineup with a leaping touchdown catch, Aaron Jones made up for an early fumble with a pivotal, fourth-quarter touchdown and the Vikings remained unbeaten with a 23-13 victory over the slumping New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was intercepted twice and held to 96 yards passing. New Orleans also lost a fumble — and ultimately, a 7-6 halftime lead — when returner Jayden Price was stripped on the kickoff to open the second half. But Minnesota’s Myles Price fumbled it back to Sanker, whose return tied it at 13 — a score that held after kicker Daniel Carlson missed an extra point. Minnesota was threatening to widen a 3-0 lead when Jones lost a fumble on the New Orleans 7. Chase Young recovered, returning the ball to the Saints 34, and the drive culminated with Kendre Miller’s 2-yard touchdown run.
The Saints turned the ball over again soon after, when Shough threw while rolling right and was intercepted by Byron Murphy Jr. near midfield.
Will Reichard made all three of his field-goal attempts from 40 or more yards for the Vikings , including a 55-yarder to put Minnesota up 10 in the fourth quarter and all but doom the Saints to a third straight loss — all in the Superdome. The Vikings, who came in allowing an NFL-low 12.8 points per game, gave up only one offensive touchdown and held New Orleans to 142 yards. Reichard hit his second field goal of the game — from 54 yards — as the half ended.
