Why is this notable? Well, there are two reasons: First, this is double the four-man pass rush snaps the Vikings utilized last season. Second, deploying a four-man pass rush allows you to play with seven defenders in coverage. This is ideal, if you can get away with it. Last year’s Vikings could not.

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into Week 3 against the Houston Texans with growing expectations. Locally, people are excited over Sam Darnold's resurgence and the defense's play. Nationally, however,

Vikings depending on Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and stout defense in Week 3 confrontation with powerful Texans

The Minnesota Vikings let Danielle Hunter leave as a free agent this year, deciding not to pay market price for a player who'd flourished into the franchise's latest in a long line of prolific pass rushers.

The Texans, fresh off a prime-time win in Houston, head to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Why it matters: The Week 3 matchup features two teams hoping to remain undefeated as the 2024-25 campaign marches on.

Harrison Phillips was excited for Kevin O'Connell's Vikings to field Sam Darnold despite the injury to JJ McCarthy before the season.

Rookie kicker Will Reichard, a sixth-round pick, was excellent in the preseason, but he'll need to prove he can stay steady when the regular season lights come one if he hopes to break the Vikings' longtime kicking curse.

On Sunday vs. the Giants, the Vikings defense wreaked havoc, Darnold played smart and they ran the ball well. That's a recipe for success.