Introduction
The NFL preseason match between the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings saw an intriguing clash between two teams looking to evaluate their talent and strategies for the upcoming season. With both teams bringing in new and young players, the game provided a comprehensive look at how these rosters are shaping up. The Minnesota Vikings emerged victorious with a 20-10 win over the Houston Texans. Below, we break down the key player stats and performance details from the game.
Houston Texans Offensive Stats
Passing Game
The Houston Texans relied on multiple quarterbacks during the game, with Davis Mills leading the way in passing yards. Here’s a look at the Texans’ quarterbacks:
- Davis Mills (#10): Mills went 4/5 for 50 yards with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. His average yards per attempt was an impressive 10.0, which highlights his ability to make the most out of limited attempts. His passer rating was 147.9, showcasing a highly efficient performance.
- Kedon Slovis (#16): Slovis completed 11 of his 15 passes for 71 yards with 0 touchdowns and no interceptions. While his completion rate was decent, his average yards per attempt (4.7) suggests a more conservative passing game. His passer rating was 82.9, which is solid but could have been improved with more aggressive plays.
- Graham Mertz (#18): Mertz struggled during his time on the field, completing only 7 of 14 passes for 27 yards with no touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His 1.9 yards per attempt and a passer rating of just 16.7 reflect the challenges he faced against the Vikings’ defense.
The Texans’ passing game as a whole wasn’t particularly explosive but showed some bright moments through Mills and Slovis. However, the overall passing stats didn’t manage to put significant points on the board.
Rushing Game
The Texans’ rushing attack was mostly unremarkable, accumulating only 65 yards on 17 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Here’s a breakdown of the rushing leaders:
- Dare Ogunbowale (#33): Ogunbowale led the team with 5 carries for 29 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and had a long run of 9 yards.
- Jawhar Jordan (#22): Jordan ran for 18 yards on 6 carries, averaging 3.0 yards per carry.
- Graham Mertz (#18): Mertz added 9 yards on a single rush.
While the Texans showed some solid individual performances on the ground, they couldn’t consistently sustain a rushing attack, limiting their offensive efficiency.
Receiving Game
The Texans’ receiving corps was led by John Metchie III, who had 5 catches for 45 yards. He was targeted 8 times and averaged 9.0 yards per catch. Braxton Berrios also contributed with 3 catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his ability to make plays when needed.
Overall, the receiving corps was relatively balanced, but no player stood out significantly in terms of yardage or big-play potential.
Minnesota Vikings Offensive Stats
Passing Game
The Vikings’ quarterbacks, particularly Sam Howell and Max Brosmer, had a more productive game. Here’s a look at the key stats:
- Sam Howell (#8): Howell completed 11 of his 13 passes for 105 yards, with no touchdowns but a passer rating of 100.3. His average yards per attempt was an impressive 8.1, showing his efficiency and ability to move the ball downfield.
- Max Brosmer (#12): Brosmer went 5/8 for 47 yards, throwing 1 touchdown and no interceptions. His passer rating of 118.2 indicates that he was very efficient during his time on the field.
- J.J. McCarthy (#9): McCarthy had a brief stint with 4/7 completions for 30 yards and a passer rating of 67.6. He didn’t stand out but showed glimpses of potential.
The Vikings’ passing game overall was efficient, and they managed to spread the ball around effectively, with multiple quarterbacks showing good accuracy and poise in the pocket.
Rushing Game
The Vikings had a well-rounded rushing attack that outgained the Texans significantly. They rushed for 86 yards on 30 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Here’s the breakdown:
- Zavier Scott (#36): Scott led the team with 7 carries for 40 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and a long of 12 yards.
- Jordan Mason (#27): Mason added 20 yards on 4 carries with an average of 5.0 yards per carry.
Though the Vikings’ rushing game was not dominant, it was effective enough to keep the offense balanced and gain crucial yards when necessary.
Receiving Game
The Vikings’ receiving unit was headlined by Jordan Addison, who had 3 catches for 33 yards. Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones each had 3 receptions as well, contributing to a steady, if unspectacular, passing attack. Let’s take a look at the key players who made an impact:
- Jordan Addison (#3): Addison had 3 catches for 33 yards, averaging 11.0 yards per reception.
- Lucky Jackson (#81): Jackson finished with 3 catches for 30 yards, also averaging 10.0 yards per reception.
- Jeshaun Jones (#82): Jones caught 1 pass for 20 yards, averaging an impressive 20.0 yards per reception.
The Vikings’ receiving unit was productive without any standout performances, but they showed depth and consistency in spreading the ball.
Defensive Highlights
Houston Texans Defense
The Texans’ defense played a largely solid game, with several players showing promise. Here are some of the standout defensive performances:
- Myles Bryant (#27D): Bryant led the team with 6 total tackles, 4 solo tackles, and 1 pass deflection.
- Jamal Hill (#56): Hill had 6 total tackles, including 1 tackle for loss, showing his ability to disrupt plays.
- Russ Yeast (#25): Yeast contributed 5 tackles, with 3 of them being solo efforts.
The Texans did not force any turnovers but played tough defense, limiting the Vikings to just 20 points. However, they were unable to generate much pressure on the Vikings’ quarterbacks or make any significant stops in critical moments.
Minnesota Vikings Defense
The Vikings’ defense had a stronger showing, particularly in the secondary, where they managed to force turnovers. Notable defensive performances include:
- Kahlef Hailassie (#25): Hailassie was a standout, recording 1 interception for 22 yards and 3 total tackles.
- Ambry Thomas (#23): Thomas contributed with 1 interception for 1 yard and added 2 solo tackles.
The Vikings defense did a good job containing the Texans’ offense and forcing mistakes, including 3 interceptions. Their ability to limit the Texans’ scoring chances was key to their victory.
Special Teams
Both teams had decent performances on special teams. The Texans’ Woody Marks had a solid kick return for 26 yards, while Braxton Berrios added another solid return for 24 yards. The Vikings’ Tai Felton was effective with 36 yards on 2 returns. On the punting side, the Vikings had a better performance, with Ryan Wright averaging 51.5 yards per punt, which helped flip the field position in their favor.
Kicking Game
- Houston Texans’ Ka’imi Fairbairn (#15): Fairbairn was perfect on the day, hitting both of his field goals and extra points, scoring 4 points for the Texans.
- Minnesota Vikings’ Will Reichard (#16): Reichard also had a perfect game, converting both of his field goals and extra points for 8 points.
Conclusion
While the Houston Texans fought hard, they were ultimately outperformed by the Minnesota Vikings in most facets of the game. The Vikings’ balanced offense, efficient passing, and timely turnovers on defense were key to their 20-10 victory. Despite the loss, the Texans showed some positive individual performances, particularly from their quarterbacks and the receiving corps, but they still have areas to improve before the start of the regular season. On the other hand, the Vikings’ overall team performance, particularly in the secondary and on special teams, was solid, making them a formidable team moving forward.
FAQS
1. Who was the leading passer for the Houston Texans?
Davis Mills led the Texans with 50 passing yards and 1 touchdown in the game.
2. Which player led the Vikings’ rushing game?
Zavier Scott rushed for 40 yards, leading the Vikings’ ground attack.
3. How many interceptions did the Vikings’ defense record?
The Vikings defense recorded 3 interceptions in the match.
4. Who was the top receiver for the Texans?
John Metchie III led the Texans with 5 receptions for 45 yards.
5. What was the final score of the game?
The Minnesota Vikings won 20-10 against the Houston Texans.
