By Jim Souhan

Remember the days when Kevin O’Connell was considered a premier quarterback coach and Kyler Murray one of the most dynamic players in the NFL?

I do, too. Because yesterday was one of those days.

Credit the Vikings defense for another overwhelming effort.

Credit the special teams, highlighted by the great Will Reichard, for being exceptional all season.

Credit the coaching staff for overcoming injuries and helping the Vikings to a 5-0 record.

And credit O’Connell and Murray for finding the best way for Murray to operate in this offense.

Here are Murray’s numbers over the last five quarters: 37 completions on 44 attempts for an 84 percent completion percentage, 349 yards, zero interceptions. He has officially thrown one touchdown pass, but T.J. Hockenson taking a knee cost him another.

Look at it another way: Over his last two games, Patrick Mahomes has completed 64 percent of his passes for 471 yards and run three times for one yard. Over his last two games, Murray has completed 76 percent orf his passes for 476 yards and run 16 times for 67 yards.

Murray has passed the eye test, as well. He made two throws to Jefferson that were spectacular – the back-shoulder bullet down the right sideline, and the touchdown amid three defenders in the back left of the end zone.

Murray also has been effective running and scrambling without committing turnovers or taking big hits.

When the Vikings were considering signing Murray earlier this year, my first reaction was “No, he’s not a winner.’’ Then I checked my bias, ditched the vague feeling and dug into the specifics.

Look at his career numbers, and you see that Murray is both one of the most accurate passers in NFL history, and one of the best running and scrambling quarterbacks in NFL history.

That’s what he has looked like the last six quarters.

I picked this team to start 6-0 and finish 12-5. If Murray keeps playing like this, and the Vikings have reasonable luck with injuries, I might have underestimated this team’s capabilities.

-Game balls: Aaron Jones for guts, Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson for making plays all over the field, all of the Vikings’ cornerbacks, Reichard, Murray and Justin Jefferson.

-The hot listens: Lea B. Olsen joined Dawn Mitchell’s show and Roy Smalley, LaVelle Neal and myself had a blast telling old-time stories on Chin Music.

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