EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota is 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in heavyweight fights.

Now, it must prepare for another, welcoming undefeated Houston to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

And so the grind continues.

"The game [against San Francisco] was physical, but I also felt like our guys were flying around the football field, playing fast, which means we were prepared [and] which means they felt good," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

It was a warm day. The pivoting doors at the west entry of U.S. Bank Stadium were open. But the Vikings were well-conditioned, and it showed. The physical practices paid off. They took advantage of an extra day and the energetic home atmosphere. Now, they've got to stay disciplined.

"That's how this thing all cooks, is if it all works together," said O'Connell, explaining that as the attrition of the season advances, so too must the team's commitment to follow through on play style and preparation. "Can you do it every week in this league? That's what defines the good teams."

It's not a set of rules or pump-up mottos that O'Connell can signal to on the wall. The discipline involves players understanding what will be demanded of them to win games and maximize matchups on a basis that's unique to each opponent – every scheme, different personnels and various levels of competition.

"I also believe that if you do it enough early, I think it will be ingrained in the fabric of who we are as a team," said O'Connell, adding he will always be cognizant of sport science and how players are feeling as they're pushed in practice.

Winning demands discipline.

Here are four other takeaways from O'Connell's Monday conversation with the media.

1. Latest on Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson left Sunday's game with a thigh bruise suffered late in the third quarter.

O'Connell said Jets entered the building Monday feeling better than anticipated and is day-to-day in his recovery.

"I thought Justin handled it really well and inevitably came in feeling pretty good today in regard to what it could have been like when you get that kind of impact on a contusion," O'Connell said.

Jefferson's injury happened while blocking a running play in the final minute of the third quarter. He exited after an epic 97-yard touchdown and 133 yards receiving, making more Vikings and NFL history.

O'Connell applauded Jefferson for his attentiveness after the game to help mitigate some of the potential swelling in his quadriceps with compression techniques advised by Vice President of Player Health and Performance Tyler Williams. The superstar will attack the week mentally as he heals physically.

On fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 1, O'Connell said the team wants to be smart in its approach. Addison wasn't in a place last week to participate in a limited capacity.

Also, rookie outside linebacker Dallas Turner is day-to-day after limping out of the contest with a knee concern. His progression will be monitored throughout the week, said O'Connell, additionally noting that there may be some players who get a day of rest here and there coming off especially physical games.

2. Effort, effort, effort

Jalen "Speedy" Nailor lived up to his reputuation and showed his wheels on Jefferson's career-long touchdown.

His effort on the play was a highlight in itself.

"Not just his [but] the official's as well, that was unbelievable," quipped O'Connell, alluding to back judge Tyree Walton's dynamic reaction to the catch. "The sneaky little change of direction there to flip his hips at the end. I mean I showed the team that a little bit ago, and they were having a good time with that."

Seriously, though, Jefferson might not cross the goal line without Nailor punching the NOS button.

"I had [Jalen] about 30 yards behind Justin when he caught that ball," O'Connell commented proudly. "Play style is not just splitting your facemask on the other team and physicality. It's finish. It's straining to finish. It's Garrett Bradbury on that play, with Fred Warner blitzing the A-gap, getting that extra little touch to run him by Sam [Darnold] so we could step up. It's Aaron Jones helping Ed [Ingram] inside right there on the interior rush. It's Brian O'Neill straining to block [Nick] Bosa 1-on-1 on the edge. It's all of those coming together, and then Speedy's finish to escort Justin into the end zone was phenomenal."

Nailor had a touchdown, too, in case you forgot. He's got two in two games after posting one through his first two seasons. He finished Sunday's action with three receptions for 54 yards on four targets.

3. Versatility off the edge

People rightfully wondered whether the Vikings could replace Danielle Hunter's elite sack production.

In two games, the team has 11 – Pat Jones II has four, maximizing his role – and 25 total pressures. That ranks first and second in the NFL, the latter figure trailing Dallas by two (four more than third-place Detroit).

"When I turn on the tape, I see J.G. [Jonathan Greenard]," stated O'Connell, proceeding to list numerous front-seven contributors. "It might not be showing up in sack production but the pressure, I think he's leading us in quarterback pressures and doing a nice job setting the edge.

"We've talked a lot about [Andrew Van Ginkel], which I think we should, but Jones has been huge with the four sacks; Turner, I mean there were some plays in the run game in which he's going toe-to-toe with one of the best left tackles in football (Trent Williams), if not the best, and [he's] physical getting off blocks."

Jihad Ward, who is listed on the roster as an outside linebacker but is creating a ton of conflict on the interior also is in the mix. Ward lined up over the center and had a fumble recovery as a quarterback spy. The play was initially ruled an interception but changed to a team sack of Brock Purdy and fumble by the quarterback.

"Those five players are a huge part of how we put together the weekly plan," O'Connell said.

Minnesota's productivity and depth among outside linebackers is allowing the Vikings to maximize their players' skills in key stages of games.

"When you can keep those snap counts a little bit lower, you get better versions of those players in the third and fourth quarter, which I think is critical," said O'Connell, pleased with the distribution of reps.

Greenard (99 snaps), Van Ginkel (98), Jones (68), Turner (54) and Ward (46) is a fearsome fivesome.

4. Confidence in Sam Darnold

Darnold has risen to the occasion in back-to-back weeks facing exigent circumstances – first at MetLife Stadium, where he used to play home games, then against his former team in front of Vikings faithful.

No doubt, he passed both tests brilliantly.

"I think I'm going into these games confident in Sam to execute the plays that are called," O'Connell said.

Darnold has completed all eight of his pass attempts vs. blitzes this year for 207 yards and three scores.

O'Connell doubled-down on his postgame remarks dealing with Darnold's back-shoulder completion to Nailor on third down, saying it was as big-time of a throw that probably was seen across the NFL in Week 2.

Let's recap another bright spot. Darnold perfectly demonstrated on an 18-yard scramble on third-and-10 with seconds to spare in the first half two traits adored in quarterbacks: athleticism and alertness.

"You even see him blink at the clock as he's running to know when to get down," O'Connell said. "He gets up and calls timeout – I had already called one, but it was still good to see the awareness."

O'Connell is excited to continue working with the veteran.

"Part of my answer about Sam postgame was I don't really have a lot of interest in talking about the past with [him]. I think we all need to just start being totally present," emphasized O'Connell, whose voice tightened with emotion on the topic of his quarterback after Sunday's statement win. "I think Sam is doing the right thing each and every week to prepare. Clearly, his teammates are confident in his physical ability and his preparation. Let's just keep seeing what it looks like. I have a lot of confidence."