After Further Review: Vikings Gain Ground on Edge of Texans Defense

[Viktor]

Three of the Texans starting four linebackers are listed at 257 pounds or more, so Minnesota wanted to get Houston's large linebackers lumbering sideways instead of enabling them to play downhill.


Houston's Zach Cunningham (6-foot-3, 238 pounds) is the rangiest of the bunch. He's joined by Bernardrick McKinney (6-4, 257), Whitney Mercilus (6-4, 258) and Brennan Scarlett (6-4, 263).


"It's probably the biggest linebackers core I've seen," Cook said after Sunday's game. "We knew if we got those guys running sideways and used our speed to get on the edge and then get on the corners with receivers making good blocks, then we could get some yardage out there. We knew what we were getting into, we knew what type of atmosphere we were getting into with those guys, and I think we did a great job, and [Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak] did a great job of calling those."


Kubiak, a Houston native who grew up about 5 miles from NRG Stadium (and its Astrodome predecessor) told "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen on Monday's episode of 9 to Noon that the perimeter plan was "because of some of the things they were doing."


"We needed to stay committed to running the ball. It was good, but it sure as hell wasn't easy," Kubiak said. "We battled all day, and we made some big plays in the pass game. We got the ball down the field and those types of things. There was a little bit to that, but at the same time, it was probably more about how we were being played."


The Vikings used pre-snap motions on multiple plays to get the Texans to show their hand on whether they were in man or zone defense and incorporated a bit of trickery early to get other players to the edge. Receiver Adam Thielen recorded a gain of 8 on a reverse, and Kirk Cousins gained 5 to convert a fourth-and-2 with a designed run.


Here's another look at those runs by Thielen and Cousins.


Q1, 1:07 remaining — First-and-10 at the Houston 35


Minnesota has just gotten the ball in prime territory after Mike Boone forced a fumble by punt returner DeAndre Carter that was recovered by Dan Chisena.


Minnesota opens the series with 21 personnel (Cook, fullback C.J. Ham and tight end Tyler Conklin). The Vikings line Conklin out wide before motioning him inside of Thielen before the snap.


Cousins takes the snap and fakes a handoff to Cook, who heads toward Conklin, commanding attention from Cunningham. McKinney is able to adjust and begin pursuit, eluding a block by right guard Dru Samia.