Stats That Stood Out: Vikings-Texans in Week 4

[Viktor]

The Vikings outlasted the Texans 31-23 on Sunday in Houston for Minnesota's first victory of the 2020 NFL season.


Defensive success in the red zone included a final stand with less than two minutes to go for a short-handed defense that also overcame the disqualification of Harrison Smith.


Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson combined for historic production, and when crunch time hit, the Vikings snapped back.


Mike Zimmer improved to 58-41-1 in his 100th regular-season game as head coach of the Vikings.


Here are three stats that stood out:


1. All In the intermediates


Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins enjoyed substantial success on intermediate passes Sunday.


We noted on Friday in Final Thoughts that Cousins had nine completions on passes between 10 and 20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage in the first three weeks combined. That included 1-for-1 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph in Week 3.


On Sunday, however, Cousins was 7-for-9 on such passes, totaling 162 yards and his touchdown pass. The throw to Thielen was officially a 9-yard score, but he was midway into the end zone.


Counterpart Deshaun Watson found much less success on intermediate routes, going 4-for-9 for 72 yards and a touchdown. (The 24-yard score to Will Fuller V was 19 yards beyond the line of scrimmage). Watson, however, did continue a run of foes that have done well on deep passes against Minnesota. He was 3-for-3 for 93 yards and a touchdown (the 24-yarder to Kenny Stills).