Vikings, Gophers Enter Bye Weeks

The undefeated Minnesota Vikings enter their bye at 5-0 after a 23-13 win over New Orleans, getting a chance to rest before hosting Indianapolis; their past results after early byes offer reason for both optimism and caution. While Minnesota is off, the Packers-Cowboys matchup could affect the Vikings’ NFC North lead, and the Bears and 49ers also have games worth watching. The Gophers’ bye comes after a turbulent first half: they are 4-2, with Big Ten wins over Washington and Michigan followed by a 41-13 loss to Purdue. Coach P.J. Fleck says the team can respond, but Minnesota faces a difficult second-half schedule and needs to address persistent struggles running the ball and injuries along the offensive line.