Minnesota Vikings 34, Houston Texans 7: Vikings Throttle Another Contender

And made it look easy

For the second consecutive week, the Minnesota Vikings played the role of underdog as they welcomed the Houston Texans to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 3 action.

And, for the second straight week, they looked like the much better team.

Sam Darnold threw four touchdown passes and the Minnesota defense completely confounded the Houston offense as the Vikings coasted to a big 34-7 victory over the Texans.

The Vikings’ defense made an impact on the second play of the game, as Harrison Phillips tipped a pass from C.J. Stroud into the hands of Kamu Grugier-Hill for an interception.

The Vikings dodged a bullet on their first possession when an ill-advised shovel pass attempt by Sam Darnold was ruled an incomplete pass. Eventually, Darnold found Justin Jefferson for a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 just three minutes into the contest.

It appeared that the Vikings’ defense had generated a second straight turnover, but a play that had been ruled a catch and fumble by Texans’ tight end Dalton Schultz was reviewed and called an incomplete pass. The Texans were unable to take advantage, however, as Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 54-yard field goal attempt to end Houston’s drive.

Minnesota took advantage of the Texans’ misfortune, as they marched down the field and got another touchdown pass from Darnold, this one an 8-yarder to Aaron Jones to make it 14-0 in favor of the home team late in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, it looked like the Texans may have been driving for points, but they turned a 3rd-and-4 into a 3rd-and-19 by committing three straight false start penalties thanks, in large part, to the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd. Nobody scored after the first two Minnesota drives, and the two teams went into the locker room at halftime with the Vikings ahead 14-0.

The Vikings extended their lead on their first drive of the second half, as Darnold found Jalen Nailor for a 4-yard score to make it 21-0. The play was set up by a trick play that resulted in a pass interference penalty against Houston that put the ball on the 1-yard line.

Houston finally dented the scoreboard late in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to former Vikings running back Cam Akers to make it 21-7.

On the Vikings’ next drive, Darnold was taken down late by Danielle Hunter, a play that resulted in a roughing the passer call, and Darnold came up limping. He was looked at on the field by trainers and was replaced by Nick Mullens for one play before coming back onto the field. A significant bullet dodged for the Vikings, to say the least.

The Vikings ended that drive with a 35-yard field goal from rookie Will Reichard to make it a three-score game at 24-7 on the second play of the fourth quarter. On the Texans’ next possession, the Vikings’ defense generated another turnover as a deep pass by Stroud was intercepted by Camryn Bynum.

The Vikings once again cashed in on the turnover. Darnold got his fourth touchdown pass of the day, threading the needle to Johnny Mundt for a 2-yard touchdown to make the score 31-7.

The Vikings added another field goal from Reichard, this one a whopping 58-yarder that banged in off the right upright to extend the lead to 34-7 with just under five minutes left in the game.

The Texans had an opportunity to add points near the goal line at the end of regulation, but the Minnesota defense stood tall and kept them out of the end zone one last time to preserve their 27-point victory.

Minnesota dominated this game from start to finish and that was reflected on the scoreboard. The team now moves to 3-0 with two games left before their bye week, including a trip to Lambeau Field this coming Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings dominate the Houston Texans in Week 3 NFL action and continue their hot start to the season. Thanks to everybody who got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!