Minnesota Vikings Keys to Victory vs Houston Texans

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into Week 3 looking for a third straight victory. They will need to win again as underdogs. This time it’s the Houston Texans coming to town. It’s a reunion for Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter. For Kevin O’Connell’s squad there are a few key areas of focus.

Brian Flores needs the best version of the Minnesota Vikings defense

Each of the past two weeks the Minnesota Vikings have won games by putting together total team efforts. Sam Darnold has had the offense clicking, and Brian Flores has seen his defense generate a league-leading amount of sacks. Against the Texans, Flores may need to take a more calculated approach according to ESPN’s Ben Solak.

“Here’s the bad news: You shouldn’t blitz C.J. Stroud. Typically, you should blitz rookie quarterbacks — and trust me, defenses have tried. But the young passer demonstrated a shocking immunity to blitzes since entering the league last year. Look at Stroud’s numbers since the start of last season when blitzed relative to his general passing numbers; the blitz hardly affected his production.”

Ben Solak on defending C.J. Stroud (ESPN)

C.J. Stroud vs Blitz/Pressure

It’s not great that pressure is something Stroud actually appears to thrive in. A positive reality is that Minnesota didn’t need to use that strategy against Daniel Jones in Week 1. Flores rarely sent pressure and Minnesota still picked up five sacks. The Texans have significantly more offense weapons to keep track of, so the secondary must hold strong while Stroud surveys the field.

Related: Watch for Texans to Shadow Vikings Justin Jefferson with Former LSU Teammate

Edge rusher Dallas Turner looks to be out for Minnesota on Sunday. That means Pat Jones stepping up again alongside Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel would be more than welcomed. Getting home with a four-man rush as the defense locks down offensive weapons is a narrative to watch.

Jalen Nailor opens up the Vikings passing attack for Justin Jefferson

It seems likely that Jordan Addison will miss his second-straight game with an ankle injury. That means Jalen Nailor again operates as the second wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Justin Jefferson is expected to be shadowed by Derek Stingley Jr. He often faces double teams, but will need other Vikings options to draw away coverage.

Future Vikings opponents, never assume Jalen Nailor is blocking pic.twitter.com/DERuhDLGZF

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 16, 2024

Jefferson turned four receptions into 133 yards during Week 2 because of his 97 yard scamper. If Nailor can draw additional coverage and continue to be a trusted outlet for Darnold, then the field opens up. Last week Nailor caught three of four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings receiving corps gets thin quick, and the tight end position is down to just two players as well.

The TD bomb from #Vikings Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson is the play everyone will remember.

But this low-key WAS the play of the game by Darnold. A cold-blooded throw to Jalen Nailor on 3rd and 8 late in the game to set up the game clinching FG.

Thrown well before Nailor even… pic.twitter.com/PMQihJTzTC

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 16, 2024

Nailor looks to be a linchpin in an offensive game plan that will need to produce its own opportunities. The more the passing game can spark the rushing attack, the better. The more that Nailor can draw coverage and execute on opportunities, the better.

Related: Vikings Preparing Jalen Nailor for Bigger Role

Kevin O’Connell drew up enough plays to dominate offensively without Addison in Week 2. He will be tasked with doing the same thing again in Week 3.

Minnesota Vikings must control the ground game

Last week the Vikings got somewhat of a running back reprieve when it was announced that Christian McCaffrey wasn’t available. Jordan Mason stepped in and ripped off 100 yards on 20 carries. This week it appears that Cam Akers will start in the place of Joe Mixon. A backup ball carrier can’t beat Minnesota.

Cam Akers is looking fluid here. What a signing for Houston. #NFL pic.twitter.com/rMeeLkFKRK

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) September 16, 2024

Akers led the Texans backfield on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. He is coming off an Achilles injury suffered while playing with the Vikings, and turned in 32 yards on seven carries. Houston has a boatload of options at the wide receiver position. The more predictable it is that Stroud will continue to drop back, the better. Last weekend the Texans had their quarterback throw the ball 36 times. The ground game was held to just 75 yards.

If Minnesota can continue to lineup and know that Stroud will be airing it out, they have a leg up on defense. Pressure won’t be the most straightforward answer as mentioned above, but those in the box can look to help out the secondary. Blake Cashman and the linebacker corps should find themselves in line to make a significant impact on Sunday. They’ll need someone to step up as well with Ivan Pace Jr. on the sidelines.

Related: Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

An ideal outcome for the Vikings defensively means turning the Texans into a one-dimensional offense. Flores will match wits with DeMeco Ryans, and his unit can make a significant statement with a victory.