Vikings playing keen game of keep-away, with hefty possession time and NFL's top turnover rate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The unbeaten Minnesota Vikings have built their strong start to the season around dominant defense and sterling special teams.

While their injury-thinned offense has lagged behind, it has made a significant contribution — playing a simple game of keep-away — that can't be left out.

The Vikings have held the ball more than any team in the NFL but one, trailing only the division rival Chicago Bears in that basic but vital metric.

With an average possession time of 33:38 per game, the Vikings have frequently put themselves in scoring position even if too many drives have ended in field goals or turnovers. Just as important, they've allowed the league's stingiest defense to stay fresh.

“It's helped us win games. It hasn't necessarily shown up in totality,” coach Kevin O’Connell said, zooming out to reflect on the offense's overall performance. “As a whole, though, I'm very happy with where I think we're going to get to.”

As the Vikings improved to 5-0 by beating the New Orleans Saints 23-13 on Sunday, their time of possession was more than 39 minutes — the second straight week they've held the ball for roughly two-thirds of the game.

Last season, the Vikings ranked 30th in the league in time of possession. They were 15th in 2024, 26th in 2023 and 23rd in 2022. Even more impactful this year has been the improvement in turnover rate. The Vikings had three takeaways in the second half against the Saints and lead the league with a plus-six margin. They finished 2025 with a minus-nine, fourth-worst in the NFL.

With 153 rushing yards on 36 attempts, both season highs, and an 80% completion rate on 30 passes by Kyler Murray, the Vikings converted nine of 18 third downs against the Saints and kept their offense on a smooth path even if it hasn't been on a fast track. The season-most 364 total yards by the offense was promising, considering how many regulars were unavailable due to injury.

The Vikings overcame two lost fumbles inside the 20-yard line, one the Saints used as a catalyst for their only offensive touchdown of the afternoon and one that was returned for a score.

“Ultimately we need to continue to put the ball in the end zone at a higher clip to allow our defense to continue to play with leads,” O'Connell said.

Murray, who was forced out of his debut with Minnesota in the first quarter because of a concussion resulting from a hit to the head at the end of a scramble, finally got his ground game going with 10 rushes for 51 yards.

“I thought Kyler played really well yesterday — the perfect balance of completions, attacking when we needed him to with his arm, attacking when we needed him to with his legs,” O'Connell said.

O'Connell hasn't had much success with trick plays over five seasons of calling the offense. The Vikings avoided a colossal mistake in the fourth quarter when Justin Jefferson's throwback near midfield was nearly swiped by the Saints. Murray fell on the ball for an 8-yard loss and managed to get the Vikings back into field-goal range to push their lead to 10 points.

“Looking back on it, I didn’t particularly like the call. I put that on me,” O'Connell said.

When T.J. Hockenson was forced out of the game with a concussion during the first drive, the Vikings were suddenly missing their top two tight ends with Josh Oliver likely out for the season. Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek each had career-high snap counts, and Bartholomew had five catches for 33 yards and Yurosek had a 10-yard reception.

“They both answered the bell,” O'Connell said.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings played 69% of the offensive snaps with Jordan Addison sidelined by a hamstring injury, but continued to see his impact limited to run blocking. Jennings has two catches for 9 yards on just five targets over four games.

Hockenson remained in the concussion protocol on Monday, but the bye week ought to help the Vikings restock their offense. Addison, Hockenson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion) and running back Jordan Mason (thumb) could all return when the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 25. Oliver and left guard Donovan Jackson (knee) are likely done for the season.

10 — The Vikings have won 10 straight regular-season games, the longest active streak in the league and tied for the third-longest run in franchise history.

After hosting the Colts (2-3) in Week 7, the Vikings enter a defining four-game stretch. They're at Detroit, home against Buffalo, at Green Bay and then in Mexico City against San Francisco. The Lions, Bills, Packers and 49ers all have winning records, a combined 14-5 entering Monday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

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 quarterback Kyler Murray 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 quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr., left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs 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)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians used small ball, the longball and played solid all-around baseball to keep winning in the postseason.

Nathaniel Lowe snapped an eighth-inning tie with a two-run single after Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey homered off Drew Rasmussen, and the Guardians rallied past the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.

After losing the first two games at home to the Chicago White Sox in their AL Division Series, Cleveland has won four straight in the postseason for the first time since winning their first six playoff games in 2016 on the way to a World Series berth.

“It feels good to see some balls fall, to see some guys get on the barrel, to see some guys have some great at-bats, because the first two games of the White Sox series, we got beat. We did,” Lowe said. “We had to go get our backs against the wall and do something crazy, and this group did. It’s nice to feel some momentum coming here and to take Game 1.”

Jose Ramírez had three hits and DeLauter was a triple shy of the cycle as the Guardians banged out 14 hits against a Tampa Bay staff that allowed just 12 in its Division Series against the New York Yankees.

Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca had RBI singles in the first and Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer for the Rays, who never trailed in their three-game sweep of the Yankees.

“It’s been a while since we lost, so I think that’s a good thing, and I know the guys will come back and respond tomorrow,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.

Game 2 is Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Rookie left-hander Parker Messick starts for Cleveland, and right-hander Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Rays.

Five relievers combined for five innings of one-run, two-hit ball for the Guardians, who became only the 11th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series with a victory over the White Sox on Saturday night.

Cade Smith, who pitched in all five games against Chicago, tossed a perfect ninth.

“Obviously we came off an emotional series, had a quick turnaround. But these guys come ready to play every day. Couldn’t be more proud of them,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We got punched early. And our pitching staff, credit to them, for stopping it and keeping us in the game as long as they did. And the offense came alive.”

Rasmussen took a 2-0 lead into the sixth before DeLauter led off with an opposite-field homer to left-center. Bailey started the seventh with a towering shot to center that went a projected 436 feet, ending Rasmussen’s night.

Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the eighth in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees.

Ramírez opened the eighth with an infield single off Tyler Wells, and DeLauter ripped a double to right. After Wells retired Jo Adell on a grounder to second, Ian Seymour entered. Lowe lined an 0-2 pitch up the middle to drive in two, giving Cleveland a 4-2 lead.

Lowe made his major league debut with Tampa Bay in 2019 and won a World Series with Texas in 2023.

“I love coming back here, I really do,” Lowe said. “It’s nice to see some familiar faces on the other side.”

Mullins connected off Erik Sabrowski for a solo shot in the bottom half.

Ramírez, whose two-run homer lifted Cleveland to a 2-0 win in Game 5 against Chicago, provided an insurance run with an RBI single in the ninth off Cole Sulser.

Ramírez then helped the Guardians get two more by breaking for third with two outs and two strikes on Adell. Caminero ran to cover the bag and was out of position when Adell hit a sharp grounder toward third. The ball rolled into left field for a two-run double.

A crowd of 35,361 fans waved yellow rally towels and rang cowbells at the Trop as Tampa Bay made its third ALCS appearance in the franchise's 29-season history.

They were fired up when the 98-win Rays jumped ahead 2-0 in the first and Rasmussen battled to keep it there until the sixth.

Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings. The two-time All-Star right-hander, who was four outs from a no-hitter in a 1-0 victory against New York, allowed a hit to the second batter he faced and eight total, striking out seven.

Guardians starter Foster Griffin gave up two runs and five hits in four innings.

The Rays helped Rasmussen with outstanding defense.

Nick Fortes threw out Ramírez trying to steal second in the first. Caminero made an excellent play to retire Adell on a hard bouncer to third. Caminero short-hopped the ball with his backhand and fired a strong throw to first.

The Guardians had a runner on first with one out in the third when second baseman Ben Williamson robbed DeLauter of a hit that prevented a first-and-third jam. Williamson, who wasn’t on the ALDS roster, made a diving grab on DeLauter’s sharp grounder, got up and threw him out.

Rays slick-fielding shortstop Taylor Walls was 0 for 3 and left six runners on base. He struck out with the bases loaded to end the first, lined out with a runner on in the fourth and grounded out with runners on first and second to end the sixth.

Messick took the loss in Game 1 of the AL Division Series, allowing two runs over 4 1/3 innings. He threw 2 1/3 innings in relief during a Game 4 victory, giving up two runs. Messick had 11 strikeouts in the two appearances. He was 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA in the regular season.

Peralta allowed one run and three hits over 4 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the Division Series vs. the Yankees. He was 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts after joining Tampa Bay at the trade deadline. Peralta was 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA for the Mets this season.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour reacts after giving up two runs against the Cleveland Guardians during the eighth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Jonny DeLuca and third baseman Junior Caminero collide try to catch a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio during the ninth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians' Patrick Bailey celebrates after a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter hits a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter celebrate after scoring on a single by Nathaniel Lowe against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana steals second past Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls during the fourth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez is tagged out by Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls stealing during the first inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan singles against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen celebrates the last out in the top of the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen celebrates after striking out Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez during the fifth inning in Game 1 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)