Minnesota Vikings

Upon Further Review: Thielen sparks undefeated Vikings

Published Oct. 10, 2016 1:45 p.m. ET

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The Minnesota Vikings kept right on rolling despite losing No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs to a groin injury, thanks to a career day for former undrafted free agent Adam Thielen.

Signed to the practice squad back in 2013 out of Division II Minnesota State, Mankato, Thielen set career highs in receptions and receiving yards, as the Vikings moved to 5-0 with a 31-13 win over the Houston Texans.

Quarterback Sam Bradford connected with Thielen early and often on Sunday, while versatile receiver Cordarrelle Patterson stepped in to help fire up the Vikings' offense as well.

On the other side of the ball head coach Mike Zimmer's defense terrorized the Texans, registering four sacks and an interception, while shutting down Houston's most effective weapons: wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

-- Bradford has the league's fourth-highest passer rating through four games at 109.7 after throwing for 271 and two touchdowns on Sunday. He trails only Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who has started just two games, Atlanta Falcons starter Matt Ryan and Patriots starter Tom Brady, who returned from a four-game suspension in Week 5.

-- The Vikings' defense came out swinging, holding the Texans to three punts and three field-goal attempts in the first half.

-- Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata averaged 4.55 yards per attempt on a combined 20 carries, and continue to outpace injured starter Adrian Peterson, who was averaging just 1.6 yards per carry when he was sidelined with a knee injury.

-- Thielen nearly doubled his previous career high for receiving yards. He picked up 70 yards on six receptions in a loss to the Denver Broncos last season.

-- Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler completed just 19 passes for 184 yards. His 45.24 completion percentage was his lowest in 12 career starts, as was his 56.1 passer rating.

DULY NOTED

-- The Vikings are 5-0 for the first time since 2009, the year Brett Favre led Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game. It's the eighth 5-0 start in franchise history.

-- Bradford and backup Shaun Hill have yet to throw an interception this season, making the Vikings one of just two teams since 1933 to start the season 5-0 with no interceptions.

-- Bradford is now just one game away from tying Fran Tarkenton's franchise record for consecutive games without an interception. Tarkenton had five such games from Oct. 2, 1973-Nov. 19, 1973.

-- Marcus Sherels returned another punt for a touchdown on Sunday, and is now tied with former Vikings receiver Percy Harvin with five combined kick-return touchdowns.

-- Kicker Blair Walsh was perfect for the second time this season, connecting on all four Vikings extra points and converting on his only field-goal attempt.

WHAT IT MEANT

The Vikings are the NFL's last unbeaten team, and will hang onto that title for at least one more week with a bye on the horizon. The Packers kept pace in the NFC North with a win over the New York Giants on Sunday night, while the Detroit Lions edged the Philadelphia Eagles 24-23. The Chicago Bears fell 29-23 to the Indianapolis Colts.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Thielen had the best game of his pro career on Sunday, taking over for Diggs after the Vikings' top receiver was sidelined with a groin injury. He had a career-high seven receptions on eight targets, while racking up 127 receiving yards and catching just his touchdown pass. It was just the fifth time Thielen has had at least 50 receiving yards in a single game, and his first 100-yard performance.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME

Patterson's route-running has long been a sore subject for the Vikings, but he was a crucial part of the passing game in Week 5. The former first-round pick caught his first touchdown pass since Week 7 of the 2014 season, while picking up 39 yards and four receptions on six targets.

THAT MOMENT

The Texans were still within striking distance early in the fourth quarter with the Vikings up 24-6, but Patterson's touchdown put the game all but out of reach. After McKinnon was dropped for a loss, Bradford went back to Patterson, lofting a jump ball into the corner of the end zone and giving one of the Vikings' most athletic receivers the opportunity to make a play.

THIS NUMBER

Zimmer's defense held the Texans' passing attack in check, shutting out Hopkins and Fuller entirely in the first half. Hopkins beat Xavier Rhodes on a quick touchdown late but finished with just 56 receiving yards, most of which came during a single drive in the third quarter that ended with a turnover on downs. Fuller was a nonfactor, catching just one of his six targets for four yards.

THEY SAID IT

"It's important, and I keep saying this, we're a team. We're not a bunch of individuals. We're just going to keep fighting." -- Head coach Mike Zimmer

"Even when I was on practice squad I practiced like I was going to play, so you just have to prepare like you were going to start and whatever happens, happens." -- Receiver Adam Thielen

"At the end of the day, no one man can do any of the things that we've done without each other. That's the special thing about our group." -- Defensive end Brian Robison

"Oh man, [the touchdown catch] was a blessing and Sam Bradford did a heck of a job putting the ball right there at the right time." -- Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson

WHAT'S NEXT

The Vikings get a week off before hitting the road to face the resurgent Eagles in a matchup that pits Bradford against his former team and his successor: rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. The Vikings' defense has dominated the headlines, but the Eagles' defense has excelled as well, and is allowing just 245.3 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. 

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