Minnesota Vikings Edge Houston Texans 20-10 in 2025 NFL Preseason Opener
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Vikings secured a 20-10 victory over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon in their Week 1 NFL preseason matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium. Despite an energetic start from Houston, the Vikings capitalized on strong defensive stands and key offensive moments to take the win.
The game kicked off with Vikings placekicker Will Reichard opening the scoring early with a 48-yard field goal, putting Minnesota on the board 3-0. Houston responded quickly as backup quarterback Davis Mills connected with wide receiver Braxton Berrios on a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving the Texans a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.
Notably, Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy made his preseason debut after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. McCarthy displayed promise in the first quarter but was replaced in the second by Sam Howell, who later scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give Minnesota the lead.
The Texans made a quarterback change in the second quarter, substituting Mills with Kedon Slovis, aiming to give their young players meaningful game reps. On Minnesota’s side, the absence of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was felt, but the rest of the roster showed cohesion and depth.
Reichard added a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter, tightening the score to 7-6. Howell’s touchdown run capped off a 94-yard drive, putting the Vikings ahead 13-7 at halftime. The Texans managed a field goal in the third quarter from Ka’imi Fairbairn to narrow the score to 10-13.
In the fourth quarter, Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer connected with wide receiver Myles Price on a 3-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 20-10. The Texans were unable to mount a comeback in the final minutes, giving the Vikings their first preseason victory of 2025.
Experts had predicted an interesting battle, highlighting the potential impact of young quarterbacks and rookie wide receivers on both sides. The first quarter saw an over of 7.5 points as expected, with multiple possessions and early scoring, reflecting the aggressive offensive strategies employed by both teams[1][2].
The preseason game served as a valuable showcase for emerging talents like McCarthy, who showed flashes of his first-round potential, and the Texans’ Mills and Slovis, who looked to establish themselves within Houston’s evolving offense amid limited appearances from many regular starters.
Fans watching on NFL Network, FOX 9, and other broadcasts saw a competitive but controlled preseason atmosphere, where teams prioritized player development and injury avoidance while providing glimpses of future season potential.[1][3][4]
The Vikings are now set to continue their preseason campaign with optimism surrounding their young quarterback position, while the Texans will be looking to refine their roster and gameplay strategy in the coming weeks of preseason action.