Know your opponent: Minnesota Vikings | Week 3

The Texans travel to Minneapolis this weekend to once again try to do something they have NEVER done before.

In their 22 years of existence, the Texans have never beaten the Minnesota Vikings in the regular season. Not in Houston. Not in Minneapolis. Not at the Metrodome. Not at U.S. Bank Stadium. Not at Reliant or NRG. The Texans have never beaten the Vikings. Not as favorites. Not as underdogs. Never.

On Sunday afternoon, it's time to change that in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But therein lies the problem: The Texans will be facing an EXCELLENT Vikings team. Led by one of the NFL's best head coaches, Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings have won games with a variety of quarterbacks in his three years leading the Vikings. He was supposed to lead the development of a rookie quarterback this year, but JJ McCarthy was ruled out for the season in the preseason. So O'Connell is getting the most out of former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold, who gave the Vikings offense a positive boost early in the season.

I looked at Minnesota's roster and saw that Darnold has a damn good supporting cast. This team also has one of the most dynamic defensive systems in the league, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Just thinking about O'Connell, Flores and this Vikings roster made me realize a few times that this is going to be a stressful, 60-minute slugfest, and I'm preparing for that type of game on Sunday.

One final note: The Texans have been 2-0 three times since 2013 and twice since I started covering the sidelines in 2014. In each case, the Texans went on the road in week three and got absolutely BEAT, including the last time in 2016 when rookie QB Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots beat them 27-0 on a Thursday night in Foxboro. There's no better time than the present to throw out the word “never.”

So let’s get to know the Minnesota Vikings, the leaders of the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings 2024 Schedule (2-0)

Week 1 – S @ New York Giants 28-6

Week 2 – S San Francisco 49ers 23-17

Week 4 – @ Green Bay Packers

Week 8 – @ Los Angeles Rams

Week 9 – Indianapolis Colts

Week 10 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 11 – @ Tennessee Titans

Week 12 – @ Chicago Bears

Week 13 – Arizona Cardinals

Week 14 – Atlanta Falcons

Week 16 – @ Seattle Seahawks

Week 17 – Green Bay Packers

Week 18 – @ Detroit Lions