Ten plays that defined the Vikings' undefeated run through October

The Vikings went 4-0 in October, and in every game their opponent either had a fourth-quarter lead or had the ball in the final 5 minutes of regulation with a chance to tie or take the lead.

It was a special month that saw the Vikings make plays when games were on the line. Below them in the standings, the Vikings watched the rest of the NFC North go a combined 2-12 in October, adding to the charmed nature of things.

As we prepare to turn the calendar to November, let's look at the 10 plays that defined the Vikings' amazing month — much of which I talked about on Monday's Daily Delivery podcast with Patrick Reusse.

10. Kirk Cousins' TD scramble vs. Arizona: The Vikings were 5-for-5 in the red zone Sunday against Arizona, with their most unlikely score coming on a 17-yard touchdown run by the less-than-mobile Cousins. If that isn't living right, I don't know what is.

9. Game-winning drive vs. Bears: This was a series of plays rather than just one play, but a 17-play, 75-yard drive that included five third down conversions gave the Vikings a fourth-quarter lead against the Bears.

8. Bears 1 yard short vs Washington: As noted, part of the charmed month was the failure of their foes. Chicago lost 12-7 to the Commanders when their final offensive play came up one yard short of the end zone.

7. Doubs incompletion for Packers in loss to Washington: Speaking of which, an incompletion from Aaron Rodgers intended for rookie Romeo Doubs — part of a 14-3 lead that turned into a 23-21 loss to Washington — symbolized the frustration in Green Bay. "What are we doing," lip-readers could easily see Rodgers saying multiple times that day.

5. Jaylen Waddle fumble: The Cook run came almost immediately after the Vikings forced and recovered a Waddle fumble with the Dolphins driving for a potential go-ahead score. It starts a turnover theme for us ...

4. Muffed punt by Arizona: In another instance where their opponent seemed to be seizing momentum, the Vikings took a gift of a muffed punt fumble recovery — when leading just 28-26 early in the fourth quarter — and turned it into the final points in Sunday's game.

3. Smith-Marsette fumble: The Vikings closed out the driving Bears when Cameron Dantzler yanked the ball right out of receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette's hands on Chicago's final possession in a 29-22 Vikings win.

2. Rodgers stymied by Giants: Let's not forget that the Packers were 3-1 and led the Giants 17-3 in the second quarter in London before their year took a hard turn. New York won 27-22, batting down two Rodgers passes inside the 10 yard line late to seal the victory. That started Green Bay's four-game losing streak.