The Viking Age
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Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings: 5 keys to victory

By Adam Carlson

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; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs onto the field during pregame introductions prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs onto the field during pregame introductions prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

#2: Find a way to cover Hopkins

There might not be a more difficult wide receiver to cover in the National Football League than Texans pass catcher DeAndre Hopkins.

His size, athleticism, and work ethic make the dynamic player a threat on every single play and he can win jump balls a majority of the time when Houston wants to gamble down the field for a big play.

Minnesota is coming off a big game where they were able to get into the head of Odell Beckham Jr, but Hopkins is a different kind of beast that will need to be physically outplayed and not mentally beaten.

Still, the Vikings have players who are up to the task. Both Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes have proven to be physical guys that can push around opposing players and Terence Newman plays some of the most disciplined coverage in the league. A combination of those players should keep the Texans guessing as the game wears on.

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