Minnesota Vikings Receive High Praise for Surprise Performer in First 5 Games

The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated through five games this season. Several players have stepped up to get there.

We predicted the Vikings to win the division in July, but not everyone saw that happening. And while the offense has not yet been as good as we expected them to be, they are doing just enough to keep Minnesota in the win column.

The Vikings began to generate offense in Sunday's 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints. One Minnesota player is standing out as a noteworthy performer for the team five games into the season. An NFL analyst has thoughts on what he is contributing.

Cole Smith of Vikings Wire discussed the Vikings' breakout players through the first few games. One of them is Aaron Jones Sr. Smith shared what Jones has been able to accomplish with his team needing him to step up. Here's some of what he had to say about the resurgence from the running back.

"The Minnesota Vikings have leaned heavily on Aaron Jones in the past four games. The 10-year veteran was expected to split carries with Jordan Mason this year. But after suffering a thumb injury in Week 1, the Vikings placed Mason on short-term injured reserve.

Since Week 2, Jones has 97 total touches, 442 yards, and a touchdown while shouldering the load. He has battled through some bumps and bruises, showing up on the injury report ahead of Week 3 with a knee injury. In Sunday's win against the Saints, Jones was evaluated for a knee injury but returned, scoring a touchdown while running 25 times for 113 yards. ...

O'Connell believes that Jones could find some relief when the team returns from the bye week, with (Jordan) Mason potentially ready to return in Week 7 against the Colts."

If someone told you before the season that Jones Sr. would amass 88.4 yards per game through the first five games, would you take it? Perhaps that question is rhetorical.

Jones has been the offense's X-factor so far. And while he is not elite by any stretch, he's giving the Vikings passable production from the running back position and facilitating a functional offense. If he can continue, the Vikings are a real threat to make the NFL playoffs and win the NFC North division.

As it stands, the Vikings (5-0) are two games ahead of the second-place Green Bay Packers (3-2). Add in another game for the head-to-head advantage over the Packers and Chicago Bears (3-2). Now, all they need to do is keep their foot on the gas.

Jones will hope to continue bringing high-quality production as the Vikings prepare for Week 6.