Kevin O'Connell Confident That Vikings’ First Game After the Bye Week Will Be Much Easier
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has expressed optimism about the team’s upcoming game following their bye week, stating that the extra rest and preparation have set them up for success. O'Connell believes that the break will give his players the refresh they need, making the first game back significantly easier to handle.
“We’ve had the time to rest and regroup, and I really feel like this game is going to be one where we can show our best performance,” O'Connell said. “The bye week gave us a chance to focus on the things we needed to improve and gave our guys the physical and mental rest they needed. We’re coming back strong.”
O'Connell highlighted that the time off has allowed the team to address key areas of focus, refine their game plan, and recover from injuries. With a reinvigorated roster, the Vikings are poised to execute their strategies effectively, making their first game back feel much less challenging.
“We’ve made adjustments, and now it’s about executing what we’ve worked on,” O'Connell continued. “The bye week was great for us, and we’re ready to hit the ground running and make the most of this opportunity.”
With the Vikings set to return to action, O'Connell’s confidence in his team’s preparation is high, and he is eager to see how they perform in their first game after the break.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins Earns Fitting Label Amid Sean Payton’s Comments
The Denver Broncos may have landed one of the steals of the 2025 offseason, signing former Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins in free agency. In fact, Dobbins could be on track for a career milestone in his first season with the Broncos.
The Broncos are 3-2 on the season, and Dobbins’ impact has been a significant reason for their three wins.
However, he has also been a positive contributor during their two losses.
J.K. Dobbins Called Broncos’ ‘Biggest Breakout Player’
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Dobbins has rushed for 402 yards and 4 touchdowns on 77 carries this season. He is on track for 1,366 yards and 13 TDs on 261 carries. All of those figures would be career-high marks for Dobbins, whose current highs were set last season with a 195-905-9 line in 2024.
Then, the former Ravens second-round pick (No. 55 overall in 2020) was a member of the Chargers, giving the Broncos an early look at their future star.
Next, Dobbins’ play could earn him national recognition.
“The offseason pickup is the league’s fifth-leading rusher, with 180 of his 402 yards coming in the last two weeks alone,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote on October 8. “Nobody in the NFL has more 10-plus-yard runs (14). Dobbins is well on track to become a Pro Bowler for the first time at age 26.”
J.K. Dobbins has incredible resilience 😤
"He has gone through so many major injuries… and every time he just comes back and he’s so good. It’s nuts."@SamMonsonNFL shows some love 👇 pic.twitter.com/MBua5K773r
— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM_Show) October 3, 2025
Dobbins signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Broncos in free agency, and he has earned $8.4 million in his career. He could be in for a major payday if he comes close to finishing at his current pace.
Dobbins must also remain healthy after not playing in more than 13 regular-season games in any single campaign during his career.
He certainly has impressed Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Shares Telling Take on J.K. Dobbins
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after the 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dobbins praised Payton after becoming the first 100-yard rusher of the coach’s Broncos tenure, and expressed confidence in the group’s outlook after their “Monday Night Football” win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Payton returned the favor this week, lauding what Dobbins has brought to the team in his first season in Denver.
Payton also compared Dobbins to New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis.
“I would say I’ve said this a couple of times. In New Orleans, we signed a free agent a little bit later in the process, Demario Davis. And we kind of saw the film and kind of knew what we were getting. And then when he arrived – this can happen once in a while – you get so much more. All of a sudden, you have someone who’s a captain,” Payton told reporters on October 8 in London as the Broncos prepare to face the New York Jets.
And so, I would make that comparison. I knew the runner a little bit. But all the other things, I think, has tremendously helped the room and our team. Just the leadership, and he’s been a great addition. And so that, in New Orleans, they would say that’s lagniappe; Stuff you don’t expect that you got. And it was similar to Demario.”
Payton also said Dobbins has been a mentor to rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey, and that he was “shocked” to learn the veteran is bilingual from his walkoff interview after that win over the Bengals in Week 4.
