Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings: 5 keys to victory

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and safety Harrison Smith (22) against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and safety Harrison Smith (22) against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

1: Continue to protect the football

There has been a lot of emphasis placed on the smothering defense of the Minnesota Vikings, but there is one very impressive part of the Minnesota Vikings that has mostly gone under the radar.

Through 4 weeks of the NFL season, the Vikings have only given the ball away once. That makes them the second best in that respect, as the Philadelphia Eagles are the only team in the league that has yet to turn the ball over.

Interestingly enough, that one fumble happened on defense, as Andrew Sendejo attempted to return a Green Bay Packers fumble during week 2, meaning that the Minnesota offense has yet to throw an interception or lose a fumble.

This efficiency will be key against a disciplined Houston Texans defense that has been known to take advantage of opportunities in the past, and should be able to do so even without their star players on the field.