Week 5 Most Valuable Player Awards: Vikings vs Texans

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) waves to teh stands after defeating the Houston Texans 31-13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) waves to teh stands after defeating the Houston Texans 31-13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels (35) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second 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 cornerback Marcus Sherels (35) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

X-factor of the week: Marcus Sherels

Marcus Sherels. How many times have we counted the 5’10”, 175-pound dynamo out, only to witness him rise from the ashes once again to hear the crowd chanting his name?

With a 79-yard scamper in the second quarter of today’s game, Sherels got to hear the stands go wild once more after he put the Vikings ahead 24-0.

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The punt return touchdown marked the fifth of Sherels’ career, extending a Vikings franchise record that he already owned.

In many ways, Sherels is the epitome of this team: passionate, hard-working, and team-first.

“Everybody loves Marcus because he does anything you ask him to do. He’s like a lot of the guys we have in this room,” Zimmer told reporters after the game. (via Brian Murphy, St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Sherels’ touchdown put the game away for the Vikings, putting them comfortably ahead and deflating all hope from the opposing sideline. For that, Sherels is our X-factor of the week.

Next: Week 5 recap: Viking defeat Texans 31-13

That wraps up today’s awards from The Viking Age, check back in two weeks after the Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles for the next set.