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The Vikings delivered a resounding 34-7 victory over the Texans on Sunday, improving to 3-0 on the season and 6-0 all-time against the franchise that launched in 2002.

The defense wreaked havoc immediately and throughout the day with former Texans Jonathan Greenard (drawing a holding penalty on the first snap) and Kamu Grugier-Hill intercepting C.J. Stroud's first official pass of the game after it was tipped by Harrison Phillips.

Other former Texans like Blake Cashman, Shaq Griffin and reserve tackle David Quessenberry all played roles in the victory.

Sam Darnold completed 17 of 28 passes for 181 yards and threw four touchdowns for a passer rating of 119.2. It was Darnold's second career game with four passing touchdowns and first since he was with the Jets at Washington in 2019.

Darnold left the game briefly in the third quarter after he was hit low from behind by former Vikings edge defender Danielle Hunter, who was blocked into Darnold on the play. Hunter has a long history of being a clean player. The hit, in fact, was the first roughing the passer call against Hunter in his career in 122 games and 93 starts, including 119 games and 90 starts for Minnesota since 2015.

But it did have the consequence of sending Darnold to the medical tent for a quick evaluation. He was able to return to action and received a stirring response from the crowd as he re-entered the game. Darnold will undergo further evaluation today.

"The fans' reaction meant everything. Not just the reaction, not only that, but my entire time here at Minnesota has been amazing with the fans. Just been great," Darnold said Sunday after the game. "And just with Danielle — obviously he's a great player and not a dirty player whatsoever, but just getting hit low there, and we'll evaluate it. We'll look at it. But felt good enough to be able to go back in the game."

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell began his postgame comments by crediting the raucous atmosphere at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Texans committed false starts by three different linemen, turning a third-and-4 at the Minnesota 25 to third-and-19 from the 40 and a punt midway through the second quarter.

"Really appreciate the energy from the jump, five false starts by the Texans today. [The fans] part of the formula here at U.S. Bank Stadium," O'Connell said. "They deserve to be able to show up and hopefully enjoy what they see on the field for three and a half hours every op we get. So very, very excited about what our fans bring to this building on a week in, week out basis."

The Vikings historically have enjoyed one of the better home-field advantages in the NFL, from the days in subzero temps at Metropolitan Stadium to the Metrodome and U.S. Bank Stadium.

After going 2-6 at home last season, O'Connell was adamant about trying to restore the edge.

"I think just knowing the potential we have if we can get off to good starts, if we can protect the football, force some turnovers, have our fans feel the momentum of their role on third down," O'Connell said. "It just kind of feels like a little bit of a tidal wave of momentum, energy. And our players feed off it. And I just think when fans are willing to show up and have the type of performance that they had, we like rewarding that. We like allowing them to have a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon."

It was so great to see so many Vikings Legends return and celebrate Bobby Bryant joining the Vikings Ring of Honor. We'll have more content from the weekend later this week.

Quality win for the Vikings. A statement win. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game — to include a very rare 4^th Up:

UPS:

1. Defense forces a turnover thanks to a great play by Phillips on Texans opening possession. The offense converts it into TD. Very nicely done!

2. Our first half defense overall was great. Shutting out the Texans in the first half was impressive. Then it continued in the second half. They gave up only 7 points the whole game. Just outstanding defensive play.

3. Opening drive of the third quarter for a TD. Loved our own trick play flea flicker, too. Followed by a three-and-out for the Texans to start their second half. Nicely done.

4. Fourth-quarter interception by [Camryn] Bynum and the game-sealing TD drive ending with the third-down TD pass to [Johnny] Mundt. Wow.

DOWNS:

1. Texans successful trick play with [Stefon] Diggs throwing for a third-down conversion. Disappointing our defense let that happen.

2. Poor offensive drive midway through the third quarter — run for no gain, sack and incompletion. Followed by a sustained Texans scoring drive. Momentum creator for the Texans.

3. Hunter's low hit on Darnold. I thought it was unnecessary. Disappointing.

What a win. The Vikings are a team to be dealt with this year. Looking forward to the Pack — I imagine [Aaron Jones, Sr.] will be motivated. Turn him loose.

Respectfully,

— Jeff L.

You know things are going well when the ups outnumber the downs.

The quick turnover to immediate touchdown was massive and allowed the opportunity to seize momentum early and play the game on the terms of the Vikings.

The Vikings are 3-for-3 this season on coin toss results, and it's worked out well for them each time to defer: a three-and-punt at New York, a three-and-punt against San Francisco and the turnover Sunday are strong starts. The other side of that coin is the opportunity to score to start the second half, which the Vikings did Sunday.

Minnesota also made plays to put Houston away, enabling the team to rest some starters down the stretch.

It was cool to see Diggs continue his pregame tradition of throwing the football with fans in the stands before the game. Didn't realize he was warming up. That play did move the chains on a third-and-12, but that was only a few plays before the crowd helped force the three false starts.

That three-and-out involved a negative run on first down by Ty Chandler, a sack for a loss of 8 and an incompletion and lasted just 1:35 of game time. The Texans did follow with their only scoring drive of the game.

I already did mention the hit by Hunter, but I'll double-down to also mention he was nominated multiple times while with the Vikings for a league-wide sportsmanship award, and I've previously relayed stories from his high school coaches about how he would pick up the people he had just tackled.

This defense is so much fun to watch! They basically shut down one of the premier WR in the league, Nico Collins. How did they do that?!?!

Thanks.

— Ben in Bloomington, Minnesota

Collins entered Week 3 leading the NFL with 252 receiving yards (thanks to 14 catches on 18 targets). He finished with 86 yards Sunday, but that was with four catches on 10 targets.

The Texans ran 58 offensive plays, so 17 percent of their opportunities went Collins' direction.

Some of the limitation was self-inflicted by Houston's penalties.

A major part of limiting any receiver is consistently affecting the person throwing the football.

C.J. Stroud was limited to 20-of-31 passing for 215 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a passer rating of 68.6. Davis Mills replaced Stroud after the game was out-of-reach and added 79 yards on 7-for-12.

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and the players on the field have done a tremendous job of making things difficult for opposing offenses.

It seems quite apparent to me that Sam Darnold is not the lost cause quarterback that so many pundits claimed him to be. After three games of quarterbacking the Vikings to 3 and 0, we have seen what he can do with great players behind him. Evidently Coach O'Connell saw something in him, and if anyone can coach him up, it is Kevin O'Connell. Hopefully Sam's play will continue into next week when we play the Packers and beyond.

Skol,

— David & Kathy Bond Cheering in Rochester, Minnesota

It's been quite the sight to see with Darnold making the most of this opportunity.

The Vikings have been intentional about trying to create a great environment for quarterbacks, and I think that's helped Darnold reach some of his best potential.

What a different team! Lifelong fan here. I have seen the good offense, the good defense, the always hurting us special teams. This year we have the whole team firing on the right cylinders. Cohesive. Just want to say thank you! SKOL!

The Jefferson drops — while not the end of the world, I hope are a glitch.

The interceptions, the sacks, special teams play. Winning by more than one score!

I guess my question, while premature, is do you think Flores stays with us to really make the Super Bowl? He has found a home and is doing what he does at a wonderful level. I hope we get to put together a few years of cohesive team culture in what looks to be a winning formula!

Best,

— Joe King of Roseville, California

Defenses that attack are fun to watch. Flores, other coaches and the personnel department have really blended skill sets to get the most out of players. There are so many players capable of pressuring quarterbacks and factoring into the disguise, which is a force multiplier.

"Really proud of Flo'. Having an absolute blast coaching with him, putting game plans together every week and kind of propelling this team that we thought we had," O'Connell said after the game.

If that wasn't a dominating victory, I don't know what is! The D made Stroud look like a confused rookie. I really believe our defense is just getting their legs, too. Besides that one drive, our defense was stellar. No complaints from me. Offensively we looked strong as well. I think I heard the announcer say, "only two three-and-outs through the first 3 games." Did I hear that right? I know we've been moving the ball well, but I didn't realize that. Really impressed with the performance so far. Had a couple of scares but came through. [Jefferson] dropping that third-down pass was odd, like crazy odd, but it happens. His attitude afterward shows that type of player he is — special. Packers next week. I was there last year when [Kirk] Cousins played his last [Vikings] game. Hopefully this year we can leave unscathed because of that hybrid real/synthetic turf. Ugh.

VIKESBIG!!!

SKOL

— J.B. in Texas

Yep, only two three-and-outs by the Vikings offense on the day. Minnesota was able to get the time of possession to almost even (Houston was at 30:42, compared to 29:18), but the Vikings were short in that category in the first half (18:38 for Houston, compared to 11:22 for Minnesota).

Part of that was protecting the football, which included an alert recovery of a fumble when Darnold was sacked in the third quarter. Powell turned a negative into a new set of downs with an 18-yard run.

After suffering Achilles injuries to Brian O'Neill and Cousins in the past two trips to Lambeau Field, the Vikings are due to get through a game there cleanly.

Wow! Another complete game in all phases! My only concern & criticism is that our O-line MUST be better! What are your thoughts?

— Randy in Las Vegas, Nevada

Darnold was sacked four times and hit six times, and the Vikings rushing attack was stymied for much of the day. Remove the 39-yarder by Aaron Jones, and Minnesota's tally was 79 yards on 27 carries (2.93).

But the Vikings protection did hold up when Minnesota made it to the red zone, allowing Darnold the opportunity to tie his personal career best with the four touchdown passes.

I'm not the best person to try to evaluate offensive line play, but I'm confident coaches and players will work through anything they'd like to address.

It's still early, but I love the decision making by Sam Darnold. Took 2 sacks and threw the ball away on a potential 3rd sack. Too many times, quarterbacks want to "make something happen" when they are under pressure. We took the lead, by forcing a turnover. Darnold playing it safe, keeps the momentum in our favor. I wasn't sure, when we signed him, but he's playing like a first-round pick, right now.

— Troy Boblitt in Springfield, Illinois

Darnold's decision-making and execution have been top-notch. There are a few times where a sack is not the worst possible outcome on a play. He's showing comfort in the system and the trust to get to the next read within a play or the next snap.

In short, he's shown the talent that made him the first-round pick and the experience he's gained over the years for how to be the most effective at the position.

In your opinion, what's been the top 2-3 factors as to why the Vikings are 3-0 so far this season?

— Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York

The play of Darnold has been at a level that many external outlets envisioned but is probably on par with what O'Connell and Darnold wanted to accomplish.

The defense is having so much success creating confusion and pressures for opposing offenses, as well as taking the ball away. Minnesota is 20-0 under O'Connell when the Vikings are even or win the turnover margin.

Special teams also had a really strong day against the Texans, bridging between offense and defense and continuing the building of the momentum that the Vikings enjoyed Sunday.