Houston Texans

Week 5 review and grades: Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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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:

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

The Quarterback Situation – Grade: A

Sam Bradford has caught on quick. His chemistry and trust with all of his receivers is amazing. Even Jarius Wright who hasn’t seen action in but 2 games, caught all of his first 4 targets of the season in this game. It’s almost super human how Bradford has performed, and its like he is taking all of the injuries to the offense in stride.

The leadership that Bradford shows not just on the sidelines and in the huddle, but also when he stands tall knowing a defender is going to lay him out, he throws beautifully placed low strikes to his receivers that will only be caught by the receiver or hit the ground. I think all season Bradford has maybe floated 2 risky passes, otherwise like he was against the Texans, Bradford has been spot on.

The O-Line Situation – Grade: B

The much maligned offensive line of the Minnesota Vikings is holding it together, but by a thread. The addition of Andre Smith to IR, Brandon Fusco’s concussion, and TJ Clemmings obviously having struggles on the left side of the line, are all things that when added to the growing issues on the offensive line, add questions to the line.

This week the Vikings have added 2008 first round pick Jake Long to try to bolster the offensive line. Jake Long has torn 2 ACLs and will be an injury concern until he proves otherwise. The Vikings only win if Long returns to his 4x Pro Bowl, All Pro form.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates with defensive end Everson Griffen (97) and defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Rushing Attack – Grade: B+

The rushing of Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon was far from spectacular, but it was functional. If it was to be described in one word, that word would have to be simply, enough. The Wildcat formations are trendy now, but stupid and pointless college gimmicks. Honestly the only way it would make sense is if they do it a few times every game leaving Bradford on the sideline doing nothing, except just standing still.

We don’t wanna see Bradford running up and throwing blocks, or trying to, God forbid, catch a pass in traffic. If the Minnesota Vikings do it over and over again though maybe sometime in the last few weeks of the season, Bradford may find his way down for a first down and get out of bounds without contact, or maybe a smooth trick touchdown. That though would take a lot of build up, perfect execution, but above all else, perfect timing.

The Ball Hawking Defense – Grade: A

0-12… it’s almost unfathomable that the Minnesota Vikings suffocated the Houston Texans to the tune of 12 consecutive 3rd down conversion fails. Throw in 4 sacks and an interception and in a nutshell those 3 statistics combined tell a story of how the Minnesota Vikings defense suffocated the Houston Texans offense. Andrew Sendejo, often criticized for his contract versus what Vikings fans have seen from his play and actually stood out as “a safety”, and not “the safety” playing opposite of Harrison Smith. His really nice interception of Brock Osweiler hopefully 1 of many more big plays to come this season.

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

Special Teams – Grade: A

Blair Walsh did not miss a kick the entire game! Sadly that’s the opening to the special teams grade… Of more importance, Minnesota Vikings Punt Return Specialist Marcus Sherels returned a Shane Lechler punt 79 yards for a touchdown that put the Minnesota Vikings up 24-0 at that time and pretty much put the nail in the coffin for the Houston Texans with 8:46 remaining in the 2nd quarter. It’s amazing that Sherels on punts and Patterson on kickoffs are much more successful going right through the coverage team than around them.

Special teams have been a thing of beauty for the Minnesota Vikings this 2016 season. Many were upset that Jeff Locke had a 34 yard punt in the game, but in all honesty the kick was short because he had a Texan coming at him and he had to just get rid of the ball and live to fight another day. Awesome showing by the Minnesota Vikings special teams unit all around. Hats off to Blair Walsh on this day, maybe Minnesota Vikings fans can quit holding their collective breaths on field goal tries and PATs!

The Fans – Grade: A

So US Bank Stadium and Minnesota Vikings fans are a match made in Heaven. Loud fans, loud stadium, and a Minnesota Vikings defense that gives almost too many reasons to cheer, have combined to make US Bank Stadium a nightmare for opposing offenses.

It now appears that the Minnesota Vikings will not get to experience the first home loss at US Bank Stadium this season. Dallas is currently the only team we face at home with a winning record up to this point, Arizona of 2016 is not Arizona of 2015, and everybody else is sub-par. The 13th man can play a pivotal role as it has, and keep the inaugural campaign a perfect run

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his touchdown with tight end MyCole Pruitt (83) during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Grade vs The Texans – Grade: A-

It was nice to see the Vikings just sail over an opposing team. Getting output from all 3 phases showed what the developing potential of the 2016 Minnesota Vikings can be. this game didn’t display the ceiling they can reach, but still just a snapshot of what’s to come. As is the continuing trend with this team, it’s been everybody contributing, everybody standing strong, and nobody gives up.

Up next: Bye Week!

Yes, the Minnesota Vikings will have a bye week to rest up and hopefully heal some of their injuries. Not only that, but the squad will have extra time to prepare for what should be a tough matchup against the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles during week 7.