Going into an early bye week, the Vikings dominated the J.J. Watt-deprived Texans in every phase of the game until late when the Texans finally managed a first down (other than by penalty) and scored their lone touchdown of the day. In four total meetings between the teams, the Texans are still winless (they’re the only team in the league without a win against Minnesota). At one point, the Texans had more yards on penalties (mostly against cornerback Xavier Rhodes) than they did in combined offence, making this tweet rather appropriate:
#Texans MVP pic.twitter.com/m7J0sSREZd
— Brett Anderson (@brettAnderson87) 9 October 2016
Before the game started, Minnesota’s leading receiver was ruled out with a groin injury. Without Stefon Diggs, could the rest of the Vikings receiving corps step up to replace him? Yes, both Adam Thielen (7 for 127 yards) and Cordarrelle Patterson (4 for 39 yards) scored receiving touchdowns, along with a 79-yard punt return touchdown by Marcus Sherels (the fifth in his career, extending his team record), and a rushing touchdown from Matt Asiata. Tack on a perfect day from kicker Blair Walsh who made a field goal and all four of his conversion attempts, which at least keeps him on the roster for another week…
1500ESPN‘s Judd Zulgad and Matthew Coller react after the game:
USA Today‘s Tom Pelissero correctly identifies the greatest weakness of the Vikings this season:
The celebratory signs of a 5-0 start were everywhere Sunday, except along the row of lockers where the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line dresses.
Right guard Brandon Fusco, who suffered a concussion early in a 31-13 romp over the Houston Texans, sat in silence. O-line coach Tony Sparano put an arm around T.J. Clemmings, who gave up two sacks in his third game filling in at left tackle, and told him to keep his head up.
Veteran left guard Alex Boone, who suffered a hip injury two weeks ago in Carolina and a knee injury that limited him in practice Friday, acknowledged the Vikings’ waning depth could become an issue sooner than later.
“If we lose one more, it’s going to be a problem. It’s going to be a real problem,” Boone told USA TODAY Sports. “We have no more spots to give.”
This is the one red flag stuck behind the purple one that’s waving strong for the NFL’s last unbeaten team, led by a defense that’s pounding the snot out of everyone and quarterback Sam Bradford’s virtually flawless play – six touchdown passes, no interceptions – with the offense on his shoulders.
Left tackle Matt Kalil (hip surgery) is done for the season. The Vikings have been considering whether to put right tackle Andre Smith (triceps) on injured reserve as well. Fusco’s concussion history has to be considered when figuring out when he might be back on the field, even with extra time before the Vikings return to action Oct. 23 at Philadelphia.
At some point every team’s fans joke that they’ll be hauling fans out of the bleachers to fill in for injured players, but the Vikings are literally down to their last spare offensive line player on the roster (2016 fourth-round pick Willie Beavers, who was cut at the end of training camp). It may be bye week for the players, but the front office is going to be scouring the waiver wire, other teams’ practice squads, and any other place they might find potential help at guard and tackle for the remainder of the season.
