Here is a positional review with grades from the Week 5 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
This game featured 2 defenses predicated on stopping the run, pressuring the QB, and smothering WR with airtight coverage. The Houston Texans, even without JJ Watt, featured the formidable duo of Whitney Mercilus and Vince Wilfork on the line, and a linebacker corps with Brian Cushing and Jadeveon Clowney, and Jonathan Joseph at cornerback. It’s a list of household names. For the Minnesota Vikings defense, Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, and Harrison Smith are the only names that may make the national headlines.
In Minnesota Viking Country we have become acquainted with Brian Robison, Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Tom Johnson, Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, and Eric Kendricks. Every team we face is getting acquainted too. It wouldn’t be surprising, with the Vikings having several more high-profile games, a MNF, TNF, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day game, that the national media picks up a few new NFL stars along the way.
Against the Texans though, it wasn’t just the defense the held the Texans to 0-12 on third down conversions that were ready to play. Sam Bradford led the Vikings to touchdowns on their first 2 drives of the game. Coupling that hot offensive start with a smothering defense, it felt like the Houston Texans had lost the game before halftime.
With star receiver Stefon Diggs sidelined with a groin injury, the much maligned Vikings offensive group looked flat, considering the losses already accumulating through the squad. As has been the theme so far this season, we needed the next man to step up. Sam Bradford stepped up and completed 22 passes to 7 different receivers totaling 271 yards.
127 of those yards went to Adam Thielen who had his breakout game of the season. Thielen has made several big catches for the Minnesota Vikings already this season up to this game, but his play in this game was critical to the teams offensive success.
Let’s look at this weeks grading: