There's something special brewing in Minnesota.

Old – and new – players confirmed it Sunday when the Vikings trampled the Texans 34-7.

Running back Aaron Jones, Sr., has talked about it with his mom.

Safety Harrison Smith decided to come back for a 13^th season because he was confident of it.

"Word of mouth, I think, travels," O'Connell said Monday at his weekly press conference.

The Vikings head coach believes it goes back to the dialogue before or right after players sign in free agency. Whether it's via agents or teammates staying connected, players are discovering what the Vikings believe more than anything else: That this environment – and the people in it – is special.

It's likely a huge reason why Minnesota is 3-0 and gaining momentum heading into its trip to Lambeau Field.

O'Connell was asked about Jones' postgame comment – "this is a special team" – and said it's a reflection of what's been built here, and what veteran leaders, old and new, are focused on improving.

The Vikings positive culture leader elaborated: "It was awesome catching up with [former Vikings turned Texans] Cam Akers and Kris Boyd and Danielle Hunter and A) hearing that they're doing great where they are, because that's always my first priority. But when they use, 'Hey, love you coach,' and 'Loved being here; This place is unbelievable; Vikings fans are the best.' I mean, you hear those things from guys that have been here and moved on. And then the new guys that come here, I challenge them, do not be surprised by it and capitalize on it and improve it, and take something and make it better.

"And a guy like Aaron Jones, that's pretty easy for him to do – there's a huge reason why I wanted to make sure Aaron was a Minnesota Viking when we had the opportunity to bring him in – because I knew he's a classic case of a great player that will not only, hopefully, take advantage of what this place has to offer from what the players have built here, but also make it better," O'Connell continued. "And he is a one-of-one type leader, human being, what he brings to the building every single day. It's no surprise that you see it showing up in between the white lines, because we've been seeing it really since day one. And I'm so happy to have Aaron Jones here."

Here are four other takeaways from O'Connell's debrief:

1. 'Phenomenal' special teams

Jonathan Greenard's hat trick of sacks and Sam Darnold's four passing touchdowns were the headlines.

But the performance on special teams against Houston was "phenomenal" according to O'Connell.

Defensive backs Akayleb Evans and Jay Ward did an outstanding job as gunners on the punt unit, containing Texans wide receiver Steven Sims on a couple punt returns – one for a yard, another for minus-2 (Sims also had a 6-yard return when Evans and Ward weren't on the field). Receiver Brandon Powell, who had a 10-yard punt return that was sparked by blocks from the DB duo, and running back Ty Chandler were "situational masters."

On a Texans punt that resulted in a touchback Powell simulated catching it then got his hands on the gunner to prevent him from downing it. On a Texans kickoff that bounced toward the sideline, Chandler made sure to step out of bounds before fielding it, resulting in a kickoff-out-of-bounds penalty and the Vikings beginning their drive at the 40. Also, Ryan Wright had a long punt of 55 yards and averaged 48.3 on four boots. He pinned a pair inside the 20-yard line in the final six minutes leading into halftime, which helped the club record its fifth first-half shutout since 2020 (and third on home turf). Last but hardly least, "Will the Thrill" Reichard came through, connecting on a 58-yarder, which allowed him to preserve his hair (legend has it that any miss results in a haircut).

"Will just continues to be Mr. Consistent. Seeing where that hit on the upright is as impressive as having the laser-like accuracy to decide he wanted to go ahead [and] ping that thing off the goalpost in that moment. [I] wouldn't put it past him that that was what he intended," O'Connell smirked.

2. Positive news on Darnold

Take a sigh of relief, folks. There's no structural damage to Darnold’s knee.

The NFL's 2024 leader in touchdown passes missed one snap Sunday after getting hit low from behind on a play late in the third quarter. Darnold underwent an "extensive evaluation," and his MRI came back clean.

"When I saw him go down in the moment, there's the initial feeling [of concern] – because I did not see it – there's the initial feeling there," O'Connell mentioned, "and then he comes back in the game."

The reaction was epic. Vikings fans went nuts. U.S. Bank Stadium was in a frenzy.

The Vikings coach was clenching his call sheet, otherwise he would have joined the clapping, he said.

"I'm having an absolute blast coaching him," said O'Connell, confident about the road ahead. "Sam's in a great spot. [We're] going to have another good week of prep and keep stacking good performances."

3. Preparing for Packers QB situation

Matt LaFleur is rivaling O'Connell in early Coach of the Year discussions right now, largely because he's tailored Green Bay's offense to the strengths of No. 2 quarterback Malik Willis while Jordan Love has been on the mend.

Willis was acquired via trade with Tennessee in the preseason after Titans brass lost faith in their 2022 third-round pick. He's looked very capable in two starts filling in for Love, who sprained his MCL Week 1.

"Malik is doing some great things, and Jordan Love is one of the best young quarterbacks in our league," O'Connell asserted. "They are different with Malik in there, but at the same time, he made some big-time throws and moved the team. There were chunks on the tape that we've got to try to keep off our tape."

The Vikings defense must prepare to face either quarterback.

In Willis' two starts, Green Bay has rushed for 261 and 188 yards. The dual-threat quarterback has accounted for 41 and 73 on just 12 carries in those games against Indianapolis and his former team.

"We're not going to get the benefit of knowing kind of exactly what we're going to see, so we've got to make sure we've got a game plan that's extensive for both those guys," O'Connell emphasized.

Minnesota is more familiar with Love, splitting its series and suffering the best of his offerings in 2023.

The 2020 first-rounder passed for 256 yards with three touchdowns and no picks, and rushed for a score Week 17. The Vikings lost that game 33-10 after limiting Love and defeating Green Bay 24-10 in Week 8.

O'Connell said Love is as "talented of a thrower as there is in our league" when he gets into rhythm.

4. Ultimate respect for Green Bay's Jeff Hafley

O'Connell called the new Packers defensive coordinator a "very smart hire."

He and Hafley go back.

"Shoot, my first job in Cleveland he was the DB coach with the Browns for [Vikings Assistant Head Coach and Outside Linebackers Coach Mike Pettine]," O'Connell shared a history lesson of their relationship. "We lived about three doors down from each other. [Vikings Passing Game Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Brian Angelichio] was there, as well, right around the corner, so we had a nice little group of folks.

"My family and his family are close. I think the world of him as a person, and he's a fantastic football coach," O'Connell added. "Always, from the first day I met him, we kind of hit it off, and I really do respect him as much as anybody in this league. A very smart hire by Matt to bring him in there. And you can see it. It's all over the tape. It's early on here, just diving into it. But they're playing really, really good defense."

The Vikings offensive line, again, will be integral to Minnesota's success – and stopping Hafley's forces.

"We've really played some of the best rushers," said O'Connell, noting the Giants duo of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Niners star Nick Bosa and the Texans tandem of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw and Co. have seized the challenge so far.

"It's an every week thing, and it's no different this week," O'Connell added. "I think this is one of the better fronts in football – both the edges with Preston [Smith] and Rashan [Gary] and then the interior."

O'Connell said Green Bay's front seven possesses "waves of impact players."