The Minnesota Vikings took care of business on Sunday with a 31-13 win over the Houston Texans. Sunday’s win keeps Minnesota’s perfect record intact, now at 5-0.
It was a dominating win on all sides of the ball for the Vikings with the offense, defense and special teams playing big parts in the win.
The Vikings got off to a hot start on the first possession. After running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson put the Vikings in solid field position, Sam Bradford hit Adam Thielen for a 36-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead.
Sam Bradford to Adam Thielen for a 36-yard @Vikings TD! #HOUvsMIN https://t.co/4yQtTVyglX
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2016
After Minnesota’s defense forced a 3-and-out, the Vikings offense retook the field and continued to click. McKinnon led the way once again, but it was Matt Asiata who got in the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run.
The Vikings’ defense was superb in the first quarter, with the Texans accumulating just 8 yards of offense during that time.
The Vikings got a 19-yard field goal from Blair Walsh in the second quarter after getting stopped on the 1-yard line, giving Minnesota a 17-0 lead.
With the offense and defense firing on all cylinders, Minnesota’s special teams got in on the scoring when Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. Sherels extended his team record with his fifth career punt return touchdown.
Marcus. Sherels. Is. Gone.
79 yards to the HOUSE. #HOUvsMIN #SKOL https://t.co/F8h5s0HFUQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2016
The Texans finally got on the board late in the second quarter when Texans kicker Nick Novak hit a 38-yard and 30-yard field goal which cut the Vikings’ lead to 24-6.
On Houston’s first drive in the second half, Vikings safety, Andrew Sendejo intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass for his first pick of the season, but neither team was able to find the scoreboard in the quarter.
The Vikings opened the final quarter of play inside the Texans’ red zone and Bradford connected with Patterson for a 9-yard touchdown.
You want it, go get it! #Skol https://t.co/UaW8NTO2sn
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 9, 2016
Bradford, the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, connected with eight different receivers on Sunday, finishing with 271 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. In Bradford’s five games with the Vikings this season, the QB has yet to commit a single turnover.
Thielen went over 100 yards receiving for the Vikings.
Minnesota’s smashmouth defense held Houston to just 214 yards of total offense.
The Vikings have a bye next week, but return to action Oct. 23 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
