Even the most optimistic of Vikings fans would not have predicted that the Vikings would dominate the Texans the way they did in their regular season matchup on September 22, 2024. They won 34-7 to get to 3-0 this season.
Game Recap
1st Half
The game started with a Will Reichard kickoff that resulted in a touchback. The drive continued with a holding penalty on the Texans before CJ Stroud threw a pass into the arms of LB Kamu Grugier-Hill for an INT. The game kept getting worse and worse for the Texans as they gave up a touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson a few plays later.
Houston was able to move the ball down the field on their next drive but it ultimately resulted in no points on the board as Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed his first field goal attempt of the season. The Vikings responded with a touchdown drive as Darnold completed a pass to Running Back Aaron Jones as he was lined up in the slot and Jefferson was lined up in the backfield.
The teams went back and forth throughout the rest of the first and second quarters. Both teams punted three times apiece as the Texans had the last drive before the half. LB Andrew Van Ginkel killed that drive as he sacked Stroud. They went into the locker rooms with the Vikings leading 14-0.
2nd Half
The Vikings continued the slaughter of the Texans with a touchdown drive to open the second half. They were able to run and pass the ball at will. The drive’s biggest play came on a defensive pass interference call on Texans Safety Jalen Pitre. This set up the Vikings at Houston’s 1-yard line.
Jones got tackled in the backfield for a 3-yard loss before Darnold threw another passing touchdown. This one falling into the arms of Jalen Nailor in the endzone. Both teams punted before the Texans drove down the field on a drive that started on their 28-yard line. This drive was capped off with an 8-yard passing TD from Stroud to Running Back Cam Akers.
Houston’s Offense Stalls
Unfortunately, the Texans were not able to get any more points on the board throughout the rest of the game as the Vikings continued their onslaught. Stroud threw another INT and they were unable to convert on two fourth downs which killed their other two drives of the second half.
The Vikings got a field goal, a touchdown (another passing TD from Darnold), and another field goal before entering the victory formation in their final drive to run out the clock. This was a truly dominant performance on offense and defense as the game ended in a 34-7 victory for the Vikings.
Top Five Takeaways For Minnesota Vikings In Week 3
- Brian Flores Has This Defense Performing At An Unreal Level: Brian Flores’ defensive unit has a lot to be proud of after this performance against the Texans. After three games this season, they have only surrendered a total of 30 points. They did give up almost 300 yards to the Houston offense but only gave up seven points.
- Vikings Defense Feasted On Long Yardage Conversion Attempts; The Vikings feasted on this Texans’ offense as they forced them to go 4-of-14 on 3rd down conversion attempts and 2-of-4 on fourth down conversion attempts. They ended up with five sacks to go along with two interceptions. Jonathan Greenard (a former Houston Texan) led the attack with three sacks.
- Sam Darnold Leads The League In Passing TDs After 3 Weeks: As precisely nobody predicted Sam Darnold would be the league leader in passing touchdowns after 3 weeks of play. He has amassed eight touchdowns to go along with 657 passing yards and the most important stat would be the three victories that he has led the Vikings to over this stretch.
- Aaron Jones Got It Done On The Ground And Through The Air: Aaron Jones had another great game in his third game as a Viking. He was able to carry the ball 19 times for 102 yards as well as pulling down five receptions for another 46 yards and one touchdown. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite which would have been unbelievable a year ago.
- Minnesota Is In A 3-Way Tie For 1st Place In The NFL: The Vikings are tied with the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the NFL with a 3-0 record. With all of the drama and injuries this Vikings team dealt with this offseason, it would have been just about impossible to find somebody who predicted the Vikings to do this well.
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