The Minnesota Vikings pulled off a third straight win on Sunday. This time it came against the Houston Texans. Maybe Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter forgot to tell their teammates what U.S. Bank Stadium was like. DeMeco Ryans watched his squad wilt to the home crowd.
Home field advantage plays a role for Minnesota Vikings
The Houston Texans found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard in a hurry on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings picked off C.J. Stroud and found the end zone. After going up 14-0, fans turned the pressure all the way up. With U.S. Bank Stadium in full throat, it was evident how much of an impact the noise made. The Vikings could feel it too. Shaq Griffin has played in loud stadiums, but he told the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling that this was different.
“Seattle. That was the only time where it happened.”
Shaq Griffin on practicing for crowd noise a home team (Star Tribune)
Former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has played in U.S. Bank Stadium previously, but he too was shocked at the noise Sunday.
“Great fans out here. They affected the game many times. I know you’ve seen it. Someone said it was close to 130 decibels in here, which is crazy, I’ve never seen that.”
Aaron Jones on the crowd Sunday (NFL Network)
Andre Ware was so upset on the radio broadcast after Laremy Tunsil’s first false start of the game 😂 pic.twitter.com/rajIqXWDDj
— Figgy Fig (@TheFiggyFig) September 22, 2024
It’s great that the Minnesota Vikings noticed how loud the home crowd was on Sunday. It certainly paid dividends in forcing mistakes from the opposition as well. Houston Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was clueless all game, and he has now racked up ten penalties (nine accepted) through the first three weeks. He was part of a second quarter stretch in which Houston committed four-straight penalties to push themselves out of field goal position.
#Texans LT Laremy Tunsil had more yardage in penalites (25) today than Houston got from any running back (21).
— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 23, 2024
The #Vikings home field crowd had him rattled.
Related: Aaron Jones Confirms: Minnesota > Green Bay
The Vikings will head to hostile territory in Week 4 to face the Green Bay Packers. The home field advantage for Minnesota’s top rival is not often sound related. Vikings fans will make the trek into Wisconsin in order to make their presence felt. There should be a solid contingent that show up in London as well.
Related: Cowherd is ALL THE WAY Bought in on the Minnesota Vikings
U.S. Bank Stadium’s next opportunity to show out with the home crowd comes in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. The NFC North division lead could be on the line.