Mark Craig

The Minnesota Star Tribune's Mark Craig takes a spin around the NFC North and finds a dynamic duo in Detroit, a red-zone revelation in Chicago and a potent offense in Green Bay.

Aaron Jones, listed as a running back, is on pace for a career high for receiving yards and his second highest total for receptions.

The Vikings rookie kicker missed his first two kicks of the season and needs an MRI for answers about a quad injury. The team’s interior offensive line, meanwhile, had no answers for the Colts’ pass rush.

Sam Darnold still makes mistakes, but the Vikings quarterback also is doing what coach Kevin O'Connell wants him to do in airing it out.

Somehow Justin Jefferson, even though he's the league's leading receiver, gets way into the clear against defenses that should know better. Some specifics from Sunday provide an overall explanation.

The Minnesota Star Tribune's Mark Craig takes a spin around the NFC North and finds the hidden strengths of the Lions defense, the weakness of the Bears defense and a Packers team happy to be off this week.

NFL teams have combined to average 245.1 yards rushing per game, the highest through nine weeks since 1990. The 4.49 yards per carry is the second-highest through nine weeks ever.

MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Jones was conducting his weekly news conference when he saw an opening, took it and, per usual, made the most of it.

The Vikings offense, on the other hand, didn't use tight end T.J. Hockenson enough and misused running back Aaron Jones in an anemic performance against the Jaguars.

Thanks to some fortunate victories, a pretty good defense and Aaron Jones, the Sam Darnold Era has started off pretty well.