5 Takeaways from Vikings vs. Texans
The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0, which is quite shocking for a team that was expected to enter a transition year following Kirk Cousins’ exit to Atlanta, but nobody within the organization has ever thought about a lost season; they have been serious about winning the entire time.
5 Takeaways from Vikings vs. Texans
Like every week, we’ve learned some things about the team.
1. Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell Continue to Ball
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been one of the elite play-callers and play-schemers in the NFL, and that translates directly to Sam Darnold’s numbers.
The veteran quarterback has experienced a career resurgence, tossing eight touchdowns and only two interceptions through three games. It’s been fun to watch how comfortably he runs the offense, stays calm under pressure, and throws lasers all over the field, involving every pass-catcher.
An effective passing attack is the key to success in the league, and the Vikings seem to have that.
2. Brian Flores Deserves His Flowers
The opposing quarterback was a shadow of himself for the third consecutive week. C.J. Stroud is one of the brightest stars in the league, entering his sophomore season with sky-high expectations after his outstanding rookie year.
But Flores had him seeing ghosts, holding him to 215 yards and one touchdown while his defenders forced two interceptions. His versatile and unpredictable scheme drew praise from Brock Purdy last week and completely stifled Daniel Jones in Week 1.
Only allowing 30 points in a three-game span is a truly remarkable turnaround compared to the awful 2022 season, including the playoff game.
3. Revenge Game, Indeed
Jonathan Greenard had his kind of revenge game, if you want to call it that. He pressured Stroud numerous times and registered three sacks and four tackles. It surely was his most disruptive day in a Vikings uniform, although his previous two games weren’t bad by any means.
Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill had a much larger role because of Ivan Pace’s injury. He also spent some time in Houston a couple of years ago. The veteran recorded an interception, while defensive back Shaq Griffin, who was cut from the Texans last year, certainly celebrates his victory. He made four tackles. Blake Cashman had a quiet game after his monster day last week.
4. Will the Thrill
Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels calls his kicker Will Reichard “Will the Thrill,” but his kicks haven’t been nailbiters at all. He just hits them, all of them, most right down the middle.
The rookie has hit all 15 kicks in the season, divided into ten extra points and five field goals. In Week 3, the rookie out of Alabama scored ten points (two field goals, four extra points), including the second-longest field goal in franchise history, a 58-yarder.
Kickers need to be consistent to fully earn the trust of the franchise’s fans, but the start of his career couldn’t have gone any better.
5. The Vikings Are For Real
There’s no way around it: the 2024 Minnesota Vikings look really scary right now. A team that has blown out two opponents and convincingly beaten a third should be taken seriously, especially if two of those competitions can be viewed as legitimate Super Bowl hopefuls. There is no evidence that the style of play isn’t sustainable.
Both sides of the ball ‒ offense and defense ‒ get the job done, and the two coaches, O’Connell and Brian Flores, continue to excel. For the first time in years, the Vikings are good in both phases and aren’t dragged down by either one.
The Vikings Are (Suddenly) a Legitimate Contender
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt