Undefeated Vikings host Colts in Week 7, eye trade deadline
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Minnesota Vikings, 5-0, host the 2-4 Colts on Sunday after rising in Week 7 power rankings.
A win keeps them perfect before a tougher stretch and deadline decisions.
Background
The Minnesota Vikings, coached by Kevin O'Connell, are 5-0 in 2026 behind a defense analysts rank among the league's best, with quarterback Kyler Murray signed to a one-year deal this offseason. The offense has been slow to click: Murray, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison have been healthy together for only 18 snaps, and coordinator Wes Phillips said the team has sharply increased its shotgun usage to fit Murray. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the unbeaten start has made Minnesota a potential buyer, though its upcoming slate after Indianapolis includes four opponents currently above .500.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026Coming off a Week 6 bye, the 5-0 Vikings rise in Week 7 power rankings, landing as high as No. 3 with several outlets.
- Oct 20, 2026Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips discusses Kyler Murray's adaptation to the Vikings offense out of the bye.
- Oct 21, 2026Vikings return to practice before hosting the Colts; Justin Jefferson (ankle), James Pierre (foot) and Brian O'Neill (knee) are limited, while Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson fully participate.
- Oct 22, 2026Minnesota approaches the trade deadline as a potential buyer amid its 5-0 start, hoping to reach 6-0 against Indianapolis.
- Oct 23, 2026Final injury report: Jordan Mason (thumb) is questionable; Jefferson, O'Neill and Pierre are full participants. The Colts rule out Sauce Gardner (calf), Anthony Gould (concussion) and Tyler Warren (groin).
- Oct 25, 2026The Colts announce seven inactive players for the Week 7 game at Minnesota after elevating two practice-squad players.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport calls the Vikings the NFL's most surprising team, noting the defense ranks second in yards allowed and first in points allowed despite doubts about the schedule and offense.
- Caution
- CBS Sports' Pete Prisco says the Vikings need to boost their offense in the coming weeks, and USA Today's Nate Davis notes four straight opponents above .500 follow the Colts.
- Analysts
- NFL.com's Nick Shook credits the Vikings' rise partly to movement around them during the bye and calls the defense elite and on a historic path.
- Caution
- Analyst Braun, cited by Roundtable Sports, argues one-year rentals may or should be off the table for Minnesota at the deadline depending on the situation.
Still unverified
A report suggests "big moves could be on the way" for the Vikings at the deadline, but what moves they make is said to depend on new GM Nolan Teasley's spending and team-building philosophy.