Advertise on podcast: VikingsTerritory Breakdown - A Minnesota Vikings Radio Show

The Minnesota Vikings return from their bye week in pretty good shape. At 5-0 and atop the NFC North Division, they have some players returning from injury and, last we checked, were starting to get some decent play from the offense and the leader of that offense, quarterback Kyler Murray. As Murray will be a key to the rest of the season, the continued stellar play of the defense and special teams will be also be vital. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray had his best game as a Viking, both by land and by air. He threw for 229 yards with 80 percent accuracy and picked up three first downs with his feet, scrambling for 51 yards. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There was some life late from the Vikings offense—Murray’s stats in the fourth quarter were 13 of 14 for 120 yards, 102.4 passer rating and a “would-be” touchdown to Hockenson. That is a sign for hope at the QB position—one we have been looking for since last season. And they have the chance to tee it up again next week and see if they can build on it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It must be said (yet again): a win is a win is a win. But the offense, which scored only one touchdown, amassed just 230 yards and never had a down in the red zone the entire game, things must improve. Certainly, it was Kyler Murray’s first full game in his new offense; certainly, losing Justin Jefferson to an ankle injury in the first quarter alters the game plan; and, certainly, the Bucs are a good defensive team despite their 0-3 record. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the land of weird happenings in the NFL—often taking place at Soldier Field when the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are playing—another installment occurred on Sunday. The Bears’ offense was coming off a prodigious effort last week (scoring eight touchdowns for 59 points) yet scored just three points against Brian Flores’ defense. The Vikings beat the Bears on the road 9-3 (with some timely help from an injury to Caleb Williams late in the contest), and they now sit atop the NFC North division with a 2-0 record.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the 132-game history of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers rivalry, there have been some doozies. And the game played on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium ranks right up there with the most remarkable ones. The Vikings beat the Packers 39-22 at home in the opening game of the season, outscoring the visitors 29-3 in the second half of a game that looked all but over in the third quarter. The game turned on head coach Matt LeFluer’s decision to take points off the board, and then the floodgates opened, leading to an improbable victory in downtown Minneapolis that will long be remembered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They kept the rookie punter Brett Thorson over the veteran Johnny Hekker, cut running back Zavier Scott, traded backup tackle Walter Rouse and picked up a guard and center off waivers. The roster work leading up to the first game of the season is never done. Nor is the speculation work ever finished for the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com. We will have all the latest moves by the Purple and comments on plenty of it. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While it is just a meaningless preseason game, the team’s performance instills little confidence in the QB position as the opening weekend for the 2026 season fast approaches. Murray did see some action in the joint practices with the Ravens at TCO Performance Center and didn’t fall on his face (nor did he ball out). And since no one lined up behind him to wrest the mantle of starter from him and instead muddied up the backup position, the handwringing of Purple Nation will continue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stop the presses: The Vikings beat the New York Giants in the preseason opener last Saturday. On second thought, keep those presses rolling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The number one question going into the 2026 Minnesota Vikings Training Camp has been answered: the Vikings have named their starting quarterback. On Tuesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed reports that Kyler Murray beat out J.J. McCarthy in their quarterback competition and will start under center (barring any unforeseen circumstances) in the season opener at home against the Green Bay Packers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Indeed, there are many more players to discuss when the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—get together this week. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are plenty of other questions to be answered as the team begins camp, and the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—are on hand to talk about them. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Dallas Turner and Jacoby Thomas make up for the loss of Jonathan Greenard? Is Ivan Pace on the bubble and in danger of being cut? What will the secondary look like on opening day (and what will happen with Harrison Smith)? What do we expect the running back rotation to be with the aging Aaron Jones, backup Jordan Mason and the rookie speedster Demond Claiborne? Is the offensive line healthy and ready to take a step forward? And will it protect the cornerback enough for either one to succeed? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So, that’s why, five years after we lost the original Purple J.J.—the dreamer, creator and hardest-working podcaster I ever knew—we wanted to bring back that voice from the archives. We are in the doldrums of the NFL offseason, and scheduling conflicts occasionally conspire against our “big shot” talking heads, so we decided to fill in with an inspiring blast from the past. All the old pods can still be found online, so why not unearth something to remind us how we got here? Bringing back Joe’s purple-tinged voice is a labor of love for us here, but it also is a fun way to highlight the archives for our listeners, who need a bridge to the next season (and may not want to hear yet another analysis of who is in line for the starting quarterback for the Vikings this season). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you want to go camping? The Vikings have been—they broke mini-camp last week at TCO Performance Center in Eagan and are now preparing for Training Camp to be held in August at the same place. There were several story lines coming out of mini-camp and others going into training camp—including the quarterback saga, which never seems to abate for this franchise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.