The Minnesota Vikings are the last undefeated team left in the NFL, just five weeks into this season.
This winning formula has been remarkably simple and consistent. Turnover-free quarterback play by Sam Bradford punctuated by clutch, precision throws. Significant special teams contributions. Relentless defense, unleashed once the Vikings take the lead.
Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass to cap Minnesota’s opening drive and finished with a career-high 127 yards as the Vikings overmatched Brock Osweiler and the Houston Texans on their way to a 31-13 victory on Sunday .
”You want to get fast starts so we can be able to get out there and kind of pin our ears back,” said Brian Robison, who had two of the four sacks. ”They’re going to want to throw the ball, because they’re down and they need to get back in the game quick.”
Marcus Sherels (photo courtesy of Andy Kenutis, Vikings)
Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a score and Cordarelle Patterson caught the other touchdown pass from Bradford, who went 22 for 30 for 271 yards and has yet to lose a fumble or throw an interception.
Osweiler finished 19 for 42 for 184 yards, one interception and a late touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans (3-2) were denied on 12 of 13 third downs, unable or unwilling to do much other than dump off short passes. Lamar Miller only had eight carries for 20 yards during a dud of a performance by the Texans that felt a lot like the 27-0 loss at New England two weeks ago.
”Give credit where it’s due. The Vikings are a tremendous football team. They’re very well coached. They have great players,” Osweiler said. ”It seems like they have their scheme mastered, and they’re a hell of a football team.”
Here are the top takeaways from the game:
FLASHING POTENTIAL
Cordarrelle Patterson disappeared from Minnesota’s offense after his rookie season, becoming a one-trick kickoff returner who entered the final year of his contract with an uncertain future.
Earning the trust of coach Mike Zimmer and his staff took a while, but through months of diligent work in practice his opportunity has returned. With leading receiver Stefon Diggs sidelined with a groin injury, Patterson had four catches for 39 yards and his first touchdown on offense since Oct. 19, 2014 . In the past two games, Patterson has nine receptions after totaling just four over the 19 games before that.
”He’s just one of those guys who has energy every day,” Bradford said. ”His smile out there at practice, he’s just fun to be around. I think the guys feed off of it.”
MISSING MILLER
Miller had only eight carries for 20 yards for the Texans before being replaced late by Alfred Blue with the game well out of reach. Miller rushed at least 19 times in each of the first four games, but the 14-0 lead by the Vikings midway through the first quarter made him irrelevant after that.
”I didn’t think running the ball was going to be able to get us back in the game as quickly as we needed to get back in the game,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said.
Miller ran for 106 yards in his first game after signing a four-year, $26 million contract in the offseason, but hasn’t broken 100 since.
LINING UP
The Vikings line suffered another injury, as right guard Brandon Fusco left the game with a concussion, putting them down three starters.
”When we keep getting guys hurt, it’s always a concern,” Zimmer said. ”We’ll continue to figure things out.”
Zac Kerin filled in for Fusco, as the Vikings average just 2.6 yards per rush and Bradford was sacked twice behind struggling left tackle T.J. Clemmings, who whiffed on three blocks that led to tackles for loss.
TAKING, NOT DELIVERING, HITS
J.J. Watt’s absence isn’t all that’s hurting Houston’s defense. The secondary was down three starters: cornerback Kareem Jackson (hamstring), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (concussion) and safety Quintin Demps (calf). Joseph and Demps were hurt in the second quarter. Backup linebacker Brian Peters (quadriceps), who surprisingly handled kickoffs rather than Nick Novak, also departed with an injury.
The Texans still managed to hold the Vikings to 222 yards over their final nine possessions, though part of that was the conservative approach with the big lead.
”Defense is doing a good job,” O’Brien said. ”They’re going to be fine.”
Thielen (photo courtesy of Vikings)
HOOKED ON A THIELEN
Thielen, who like Sherels was raised in Minnesota and made the team as undrafted rookie after a tryout camp, has become much more than a special teams ace. He caught passes all over the field and finished with a career-high seven catches. Thielen is from Detroit Lakes and played college football at Minnesota State-Mankato.
”He’s kind of the typical Vikings,” Zimmer said, ”guys that just go in and fight.”
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