The Viking Age
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Week 5 winners and losers: Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans

By Jordan Wright

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Minnesota Vikings play the Houston Texans in a wide view of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Minnesota Vikings play the Houston Texans in a wide view of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Vikings were without star receiver Stefon Diggs, but they were still able to dominate through the air against the Texans

Houston ranked first in the NFL against the pass, allowing only 163 yards per game. The Vikings were without the services of their leading receiver, but they were still able to shred the Texans through the air.

Adam Thielen led the Vikings with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Thielen was able to get open with some nifty route running, and he was also able to make contested catches. Adam seems to be improving every week, and he’s certainly made a case that he should be starting over incumbent starter Charles Johnson.

Cordarrelle Patterson was also able to contribute, catching four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. Patterson’s 39 yards may not seem like much, but they are the most since week 8 of the 2014 season. The Vikings have been incorporating Patterson into the offense more this season, and it has been paying off. Patterson is running hard instead of dancing around, which is great to see. He also had an impressive touchdown against tight coverage on Sunday, a catch he wouldn’t have been able to corral in previous seasons.

Jarius Wright got some playing time because of the injury to Diggs, which led to his first catches of the year. Wright has been invisible, which is curious because of the contract the Vikings had just recently given him. A reliable, team-first type of player, it was great to see Jarius out there and picking up valuable first downs.

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