5 problems the Vikings need to fix during their 2024 bye week

The Minnesota Vikings were the first team in the NFL to five wins this season, thanks to an early start in London, England, this past Sunday, paired with the Kansas City Chiefs not playing until Monday night.

The Vikings are currently the last undefeated team in the NFC, something that a lot of football fans did not see coming before this season began. Minnesota now gets to have its bye week and fix the issues that have plagued them, even with an undefeated start to the year.

No matter what the record is, every team in the NFL has things they can fix, and the Vikings are no different. With extra time to get some pieces in order, Minnesota can work out more kinks than they can during a normal week.

With that being said, what are some issues that the 5-0 Vikings should fix during their bye week?

Problems the Minnesota Vikings need to fix during their bye week

1. Punt return struggles

The Vikings punt return unit has been a disaster these past two weeks. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, Minnesota receiver Jalen Nailor muffed a punt, which led to a Green Bay touchdown, and the unit looked even worse last weekend against the New York Jets.

The biggest culprit in London was Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans, as he had a day to forget on special teams.

Evans was constantly getting pushed around as a blocker for Minnesota returner Brandon Powell. He was mere inches away from forcing a fumble after he was tossed into Powell's body during a return.

The Vikings' punt return unit also had a roughing the kicker penalty committed by Ivan Pace Jr, and no matter how weak the call might have seemed, it was still a major mistake that needs to be fixed.

Minnesota fans have begun holding their breath after forcing a team to punt, as the results they have gotten lately have been painful.

The Vikings need to figure out their issues during the bye, as special teams are and always will be an integral part of winning. And while Pace has a safe spot on the roster, if Evans can't even contribute on special teams, it could result in Minnesota moving on from him in the near future.

2. Running without Aaron Jones

Vikings running back Aaron Jones left the team's last game due to a hip injury, and he is currently listed as week-to-week. If Minnesota has to be without him for any period of time, head coach Kevin O'Connell has a lot of work to do to create a run game that can function without Jones.

The Jets have a stout defense, so the Vikings having a tough day running the ball was no surprise in Week 5. But Minnesota's run game completely disappeared when Jones got hurt.

Vikings backup running back Ty Chandler is having a below-average year, as his 3.5 yards per rush attempt is lackluster. Chandler also fumbled in the game against New York, and even though it was given to Sam Darnold on the stat sheet, the misplaying of the pitch was a mistake by Chandler.

Expecting Minnesota's backup running back group to be a carbon copy of Jones is unrealistic, but the rushing attack needs to figure out how to work without the top guy on their depth chart, as he has a lengthy injury history that makes it hard to rely on him every single week as the full-time guy.

3. Overall health of the roster

As previously mentioned, Jones is dealing with a hip injury, but he is not the only hobbled Vikings player heading into the team's bye.

Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson and offensive guard Dalton Risner are players who could potentially return from injury in Week 7 after the bye, depending on if things go to plan during the team's week off.

Darnold was also visibly shaken up against the Jets, as he even had to miss a play. So the bye week will be helpful for him to heal up.

Of course, every player has aches and pains that they can rest during the bye week, so this is a chance for the whole Vikings roster to recharge.

Minnesota is 5-0, and that's without the roster at full health, so the bye week could strengthen an already impressive-looking team.

4. Playing in bad weather

As it rained in London during the win over the Jets, it was apparent to fans watching that the bad weather was throwing the Vikings for a loop. Darnold was missing throws that he had been hitting all season, and players from both teams were slipping all over the field.

Could the bad weather have been the cause for the abysmal day had by New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers as well? It's possible, but no matter what, Minnesota needs to be better when the conditions aren't perfect.

Maybe Darnold needs to work on his grip when the ball is wet. Maybe the team needs to bring an extra pair of cleats in case it rains. Whatever the case may be, the Vikings cannot allow themselves to be beaten simply because the weather isn't ideal.

Playing in bad weather is an issue for both teams and if Minnesota is better prepared for the situation, that gives them a much better chance to win.

5. Struggles at right guard

Vikings right guard Ed Ingram is a liability. There is no way around it. Ingram once again posted a PFF grade near the bottom of the roster in Week 5 and has continuously been overmatched each and every week this season.

While Risner may return soon, there is no guarantee that he will fix the issues at right guard, and he could just be duct tape on the breaking wall.

Minnesota needs to look long and hard at the position and figure out whether they would like to make a trade during the season for an upgrade or look to fix the problem in the 2025 NFL Draft. No matter what, it is becoming increasingly obvious that Ingram is not the answer at right guard for the VIkings.

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