Nordo's Numbers: Week 3 vs. Houston

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7 to move to 3-0 on the season. Their domination started from the first series. They took the ball away from the Texans, turning the short field into seven points early. While the Vikings couldn’t put the San Francisco 49ers away earlier due to self-inflicted mistakes last week, they faced no such problems against the Texans.

Minnesota's defense turned Houston's high-flying offense into a shell of itself. Brian Flores constantly and consistently confused C.J. Stroud and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, 37, one of the better young play-callers. The execution on the defensive side of the ball is a large part of the story. Still, the offense also played complementary football, capitalizing on their opportunities and making it a long day for DeMeco Ryans’s defense.

The Vikings had a few injury scares. Sam Darnold missed one snap after old friend Danielle Hunter hit him late, earning his first-ever roughing the passer flag, and Brian O'Neill had his leg rolled up on. However, they escaped relatively unscathed.

Even special teams got in on the act. Rookie kicker Will Reichard went two for two, banking in an impressive 58-yard field goal off the upright to extend the lead late in the game. Overall, it was pure and utter domination by the Vikings from the first snap to the last.

Here are five numbers to break down this incredible win.

266

Kamu Grugier-Hill’s pick of Stroud on the Texans' first drive was Stroud’s first interception in 266 pass attempts, going back to Week 11 of last year. Before this game, everyone would have said forcing turnovers and creating pressure would be the Vikings defense’s best way to negate Houston’s high-powered offense.

Houston’s first offensive play got called back for holding, a theme that would become prevalent through the afternoon. After that, the Vikings caused an interception after newly extended Harrison Phillips deflected a pass right into Kamu Grugier-Hill’s path, who picked it. Grugier-Hill was filling in for the injured Ivan Pace.

The Vikings capitalized on this early beneficial field position. On third down, Sam Darnold broke the pocket and extended the play to find Justin Jefferson in the corner of the end zone.

Last week, Minnesota could not turn any of San Francisco’s turnovers into touchdowns. However, getting one early this week after Houston’s turnover put the Texans on their back foot right away.

3

Darnold has thrown multiple touchdown passes in three consecutive games, the longest streak of his career. They came in starts 57, 58, and 59, a testament to Darnold and the Vikings coaching staff.

Darnold entered the league in awful situations with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before signing with the 49ers to be Brock Purdy’s backup. Some people considered the Vikings Darnold’s last chance to cement himself as a starter in the NFL. Darnold has done just that, playing the best football of his career. His revival feels something like those of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, where their poor play was more an indictment of their situations rather than them as players.

15

The Texans lost 15 yards on penalties when they got called for three-straight false start penalties. Houston had third-and-four from Minnesota’s 25-yard line, but they eventually squandered their advantageous field position with three consecutive flags on their offensive line, pushing them out of field goal range.

It started when right tackle Tytus Howard jumped about two seconds too early and then confidently pointed the other way, trying to tell the officials that Minnesota's defensive line jumped early. But that didn't fool the officiating crew, who called the penalty on the Texans.

On the next play, it looked like the Vikings would give those five yards back with Jihad Ward moving early. Instead, the Texans center was called for a rare false start for bobbing his head up too fast. The officials flagged centers three times for false starts in this game.

Even after this, seasoned veteran Laremy Tunsil jumped early on the next play, pushing the Texans out of field goal range.

Minnesota's defense forced an incompletion on third down, and they declined what would've been a fourth consecutive flag on the Texans’ offensive line. The fans' noise in US Bank stadium seemed to be working its magic with the relentless pressure of Minnesota's defensive line, making Houston's offensive line liable to jump early. These woes continued all game. The Vikings negated so many large plays with flags on the Texans offensive line.

1

This Sunday marked the first time in his career that Jonathan Greenard had a three-sack game. Before the game, much was made about all the players who have recently swapped sides, with Blake Cashman, Danielle Hunter, Cam Akers, Stefon Diggs, and Greenard all playing for both franchises. Greenard came out on top, leading both teams in sacks.

Greenard had created a lot of pressure. However, teams had largely left him off the stat sheet. Andrew Van Ginkel, Cashman, and even Jihad Ward got sacks while he hadn’t yet tallied one.

Everyone could tell Greenard would have a great day when the Texans gave rookie tight end Cade Stover the one-on-one assignment against Greenard. Greenard flattened him on his way to sacking Stroud. Greenard was impactful throughout the game, and the defensive line proved too much for Stroud and Houston's offense.

Before the game, the CBS broadcast stated that Stroud told his offense to expect to see things they had not seen before. Despite this warning, Houston's offense still looked entirely overmatched. It got to the point where the Texans pulled Stroud in garbage time; he was visibly frustrated, putting his head in his hands after one of many three-and-outs.

0

Justin Jefferson had zero yards in the second half. After an incredible first half that resulted in 81 yards and a score with a few masterful routes that saw him wide open, the Texans held Jefferson to no yards in the second half. After the first half, most people would have expected Houston's defense to focus on Jefferson. However, few would expect them to shut Jefferson out.

Even more concerning? Jefferson dropped two consecutive passes under seemingly no duress. Jefferson had jammed his pinky at the end of the half on a reception near the sideline. However, it didn’t keep him out of the game. While this might be concerning, it is impressive that despite his lack of contribution in the second half, the Vikings’ offense could still move the ball and piled on two more touchdowns and two field goals. The offense has continued to churn ahead without T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison.

93% (Bonus)

How dominant have the Vikings been? According to ESPN, they have yet to enter the fourth quarter with less than a 93% win probability.