Vikings defense remains dominant in New Orleans as Minnesota improves to 5-0

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. said to the Minnesota sideline that he would intercept New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough for a second time as his unit was about to retake the field in the fourth quarter.

He lived up to his word three plays later, intercepting a deep pass down the sideline intended for receiver Chris Olave.

The turnover capped off another dominant defensive performance as the Vikings (5-0) won 23-13 to remain unbeaten entering their bye week.

“Olave was on my side, so I knew the ball was definitely coming,” Murphy said. “Then (Shough) checked to something and I thought it might be a double move. He ran a double move, and once the ball was in the air, I knew I had to go get it.”

Already the NFL leader in fewest points allowed, the Vikings topped themselves. They held the Saints to 142 total yards and limited Shough to 96 yards passing.

One of New Orleans’ touchdowns came on an 87-yard fumble return by safety Jonas Sanker. The other came after the Saints converted a pair of fourth downs on a second-quarter drive.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence,” said linebacker Blake Cashman, who had a team-high nine tackles. “We just build off of great defensive performances. If we want to be labeled the best defense in the league, we have to prove that every week.”

Vikings opponents are averaging 12.8 points through five games. No Vikings opponent has scored more than 16 since Minnesota beat Green Bay 39-22 in its opener.

“There’s really nothing more to say” about Minnesota's defense, Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson said after witnessing the unit's latest showing. “They are continuously coming in here and showing up. It’s kind of crazy to see. We feed off of them.”

New Orleans managed only nine first downs as Minnesota overcame two critical fumbles in the red zone — one by wideout Myles Price that Sanker took for a score and one by running back Aaron Jones in the second quarter that led to the Saints' touchdown drive.

Trailing 7-6 entering the third quarter, the Vikings outscored the Saints 17-6 the rest of the way and did not allow a point on defense. Although Minnesota's heavy-blitzing defense sacked Shough only once, they forced him to scramble repeatedly, drawing multiple holding calls on Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Murphy got his first interception when Shough rolled away from pressure and threw an ill-advised pass to receiver Bryce Lance on the run.

“That’s their M.O.,” Saints center Erik McCoy said. “They’re going to make your running backs block. They’re going to make your tight ends block. That’s who they are as a defense and they’re damn good at it.”

New Orleans had four first downs in six possessions after its lone offensive touchdown.

Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell said his halftime messages focused on getting a lead for the defense to protect.

“If we keep them fresh and get them leads in the second half, we are going to be a tough team to beat,” O'Connell said.

It's to the point where the Vikings can even call their interceptions, as Murphy did, before making his 14th in three-plus seasons with Minnesota — and his third this season.

When Cashman saw the ball in the air, he immediately thought of Murphy's prediction coming off the sideline and recalled thinking, "No way! He's coming down with this!”

“He’s a ball hawk," Cashman continued. "It was a great play to put the game away.”

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., top, intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump must cancel any remaining television commercials paid for with millions of dollars in taxpayer money to promote his political message, a federal judge ordered Sunday night, even as the administration said the ad campaign was coming to an end.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in New York sided with a coalition, including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause, that challenged the ads and called them an illegal misuse of funds. She told the administration to cancel any remaining ads, including any set to air Sunday night, in granting a temporary restraining order.

“Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements” during the two-week duration of her order, the judge said.

The White House did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Sunday night. In a court filing late Saturday, the Justice Department argued that the temporary restraining order was unnecessary because “the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow.”

The Department of Homeland Security tapped $20 million in taxpayer money for the ads. Legal experts have suggested that ran afoul of a federal statute against congressionally appropriated money being used for “publicity or propaganda” and potentially other federal laws. The Homeland Security money tapped for the ads comes from a $175 million package Congress gave to the department as part of Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.

The White House has defended the ads as public service announcements akin to what past administrations have done to promote various policies. But the recent ads differ from many past public service announcements because they aren’t aimed at helping members of the public benefit from specific government programs. One of the ads is a near replica of a 2024 ad that Trump ran during his presidential reelection campaign.

President Donald Trump returns to the White House following a trip to Clarksville, Tenn., on the South Lawn of the White House, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)