Week 5 winners and losers: Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Houston Texans, 31-13 at US Bank Stadium. The team is clearly making a statement that they should be considered the best team in the NFL

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Minnesota Vikings play the Houston Texans in a wide view of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Led by their defense, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Houston Texans 31-13. The Texans were 3-1 entering the game, and boasted a good defense to go along with an explosive offense. The Texans are a good team, but the Vikings proved they were the superior team on Sunday.

The Vikings offense was able to put up 351 yards against the Texans, which is the most given up by them this season. Sam Bradford had another great game, completing 22 of 30 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings gave plenty of carries to both Jerick McKinnon (20 carries, 36 yards) and Matt Asiata (14 carries, 55 yards). It wasn’t a great day for the ground game, as the team combined for only 2.6 yards per carry.

While the Vikings offense had a good day, the defense and special teams were once again phenomenal. The Texans were held to only 214 yards, which is their lowest total of the year so far. The Vikings defensive line was back to their usual self, sacking Brock Osweiler four times and getting another 13 hits on the Texans quarterback. Minnesota was also stout against the run. Lamar Miller, who was averaging nearly 88 yards per game, had only 20 yards for the day.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings were without star receiver Stefon Diggs, but they were still able to dominate through the air against the Texans

Houston ranked first in the NFL against the pass, allowing only 163 yards per game. The Vikings were without the services of their leading receiver, but they were still able to shred the Texans through the air.

Adam Thielen led the Vikings with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Thielen was able to get open with some nifty route running, and he was also able to make contested catches. Adam seems to be improving every week, and he’s certainly made a case that he should be starting over incumbent starter Charles Johnson.

Cordarrelle Patterson was also able to contribute, catching four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. Patterson’s 39 yards may not seem like much, but they are the most since week 8 of the 2014 season. The Vikings have been incorporating Patterson into the offense more this season, and it has been paying off. Patterson is running hard instead of dancing around, which is great to see. He also had an impressive touchdown against tight coverage on Sunday, a catch he wouldn’t have been able to corral in previous seasons.

Jarius Wright got some playing time because of the injury to Diggs, which led to his first catches of the year. Wright has been invisible, which is curious because of the contract the Vikings had just recently given him. A reliable, team-first type of player, it was great to see Jarius out there and picking up valuable first downs.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) and teammates during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Every member of the Minnesota Vikings offensive line had their share of troubles against Houston, but one lineman really stood out… in a negative way

The Houston Texans were without their star defensive lineman J.J. Watt, but they were still able to disrupt the Vikings offense. The Texans sacked Sam Bradford twice, while also adding eight QB hits and seven tackles for a loss.

Second year offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings entered the game as the worst tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, and he did nothing to improve upon that mark. Clemmings was beaten badly by Whitney Mercilus multiple times in passing situations, and Jadeveon Clowney in the run game.

Clemmings has not shown the ability to play left tackle since taking over for Matt Kalil. The Vikings will be on their bye-week, giving them two weeks to find a better option along the offensive line. There are many young offensive linemen on the team, and it would not be surprising to see one of them starting at left tackle when the team takes on the Carson Wentz led Philadelphia Eagles.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates with defensive end Everson Griffen (97) and defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings defensive line was able to terrorize Texans’ quarterback Brock Osweiler on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings once again had a spectacular day on defense, and it all started with the defensive line. The group accounted for four sacks, three tackles for a loss, and 11 quarterback hits. According to PFF, Osweiler was pressured on 22 of 46 dropbacks (48%). When under pressure, Osweiler was only able to complete four of 18 passes for 45 yards and an interception.

The biggest winner along the defensive line was Tom Johnson. Johnson had a sack, a tackle for a loss, and six(!) quarterback hits against the Texans. Shamar Stephen once again got the start with Sharrif Floyd out, but the Vikings may want to think about giving that start to Johnson going forward.

Linval Joseph was the biggest reason the Texans were unable to get anything going on the ground in this game. Joseph was only credited with four tackles and a QB hit, but the value he brings to the team isn’t measured with stats. Linval is consistently double and triple teamed, which frees up the rest of the defense to make plays. Joseph is the anchor of the defense, and perhaps the most important player in Minnesota.

Everson Griffen (or Griffin, according to his jersey on Sunday), Brian Robison and Danielle Hunter all filled up the stat sheet. The trio combined for seven tackles, three sacks, two tackles for a loss, and four quarterback hits. With Linval anchoring the middle of the line, the defensive ends were able to pinch the sides, shrinking the pocket for Osweiler and making him uncomfortable.

Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Xavier Rhodes (29) gets introduced before the game against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Rhodes was coming off two great games, but he regressed some on Sunday against the Texans

Xavier Rhodes sat out the first two games of the season because of injury. When he came back, he was immediately forced to cover two of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Kelvin Benjamin and Odell Beckham Jr.. Rhodes was able to limit both of them to career lows in receiving yards.

In week 5, the Houston Texans came to town with a another great wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins. Xavier gave up 56 yards and a touchdown to Hopkins, and that total would have been much higher if the yards awarded due to pass interference were counted. Rhodes was responsible for three penalties on the day, bailing out the Texans’ offense each time.

Rhodes has started to make a case that he is one of the better cornerbacks in the league. Even the best corners have bad days, like Rhodes did today. He will have a couple of weeks to move past this performance before facing off against Jordan Matthews of the Philadelphia Eagles. Matthews is a good receiver, but he isn’t of the same caliber of Benjamin, Beckham or Hopkins. Rhodes should be able to dominate in that game, restoring his position as a premier cornerback in the NFL.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels (35) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Sherels was able to return a punt against the Texans, adding to the Vikings lead and helping put the game out of reach

Marcus Sherels may not be a great cornerback, but he is one of the best special teams players in the league. He has been able to stick around the NFL because he is reliable, but today he proved just how explosive he can be.

Sherels was able to take a punt to the house against the Texans, which expanded the Vikings lead and changed the complexity of the game. This is Sherels’ second punt returned for a touchdown of the year, and fifth of his career.

Not just a kick returner, Sherels is also one of the best tacklers on kickoffs. He is usually the first player to the scene and is reliable in the open field. Sherels is not a player who will hear his named called on SportsCenter much, but he is one of the most important players for the Minnesota Vikings.

It also helps that he is a local kid, having gone to both high school and college in Minnesota. Between he and Adam Thielen, the Vikings have plenty of local players who are doing big things for the team.