Vikings stay unbeaten with easy 31-13 victory over Texans

Safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Anthony Barr and nose tackle Linval Joseph all missed games down the stretch a year ago and could not be expected to be at full strength by the Wild Card round, when Minnesota fell to the Seahawks on a missed Blair Walsh kick in the final minute.

Osweiler was finally able to get the ball to Hopkins in the second half, but Hopkins was not involved in the critical early stages of the game.

The Minnesota Vikings are the last undefeated team left in the National Football League, just five weeks into this season. “We showed them a few different looks, but to start fast and start the way we did was the key”. The Eagles simply lost a unusual game in which some of their weaknesses were exploited (LBs and CBs), but as Doug Pederson said throughout his press conference today, they overcame a lot of factors working against them, and they almost came up with a win. “We’re not satisfied. It’s early in the year, and we haven’t accomplished anything yet”.

“When we keep getting guys hurt, it’s always a concern”, Zimmer said.

The Minnesota Vikings still have a lot of work to do and they don’t have a big lead over the Packers, who are at 3-1, in the division.

Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak experienced flu-like symptoms and was taken from the stadium to a hospital by ambulance following Denver’s 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. This is something the Texans organization and players have to straighten out if they want to ever get over the hump, especially under O’Brien.

Elliott, on only 15 carries, became the first Cowboys rookie with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games. And only once, were they favored by more than -6 (touchdown favorites over the woeful New York Giants in Week 16). The Texans went to Minnesota without cornerback Kareem Jackson, out with an injured hamstring, and lost two more starters in the second quarter of a 31-13 loss to the Vikings.

He deserves an apology from everyone who mocked the Vikings for shipping a first-round draft choice (plus another pick) to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire him. Unfortunately, the Vikings couldn’t convert their one chance at the 1 and they settled for a 19-yard field goal by Walsh. They’re good – far better than I gave them credit for at the start of things – but we’re starting to see their lack of depth rear its head, and that’s only going to continue if and when Lane Johnson is suspended. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet”. Like clockwork, the Vikings offense started moving the chains once Bradford started completing short passes to Patterson, Wright, and Thielen.

Welcome back Tom Brady!

“I think you’ve seen more spread from us”, Bradford said. Bill Belichick must be proud of that answer.

The Chargers were lining up for a game-tying field goal with 2:08 remaining, but punter and holder Drew Kaser fumbled the snap and the Raiders held on for a 34-31 victory. A TV camera caught San Diego QB Philip Rivers on the sideline saying what appeared to be the phrase “Bad News Bears”. The Vikings went 4-1 ATS in the preseason and 14-3 ATS in the regular season and playoffs. And when he took the job, Kubiak said he’d learned his lesson to spread out the workload and the pressure among his coaching staff.

Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and Cordarelle Patterson scored on a touchdown pass from Sam Bradford, who deftly guided the offense to a fifth straight turnover-free game in his fourth start for the Vikings (5-0). Significant special teams contributions.

I guess the offseason notions of being a quarterback away from competing with those teams was inaccurate. The Texans were saved only by their defense and a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by rookie Will Fuller.