Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats (Aug 9, 2025)
Minnesota defeated Houston 20-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 9, 2025, in a preseason game where Graham Mertz threw three interceptions on just 14 pass attempts. Kahlef Hailassie intercepted two of those passes, while Sam Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for Minnesota in a performance that locked up the backup quarterback job.
Table of Contents
Game Flow and Scoring Drives
Houston led 7-3 after Davis Mills connected with Braxton Berrios for a touchdown in the first quarter. Minnesota responded with a 15-play, 94-yard touchdown drive that ate up 7 minutes and 10 seconds of the second quarter, with Sam Howell scoring from one yard out to give the Vikings a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
| Quarter | Time | Team | Scoring Play | Drive Details | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8:57 | MIN | Reichard 48-yard FG | 14 plays, 58 yards, 6:03 | MIN 3-0 |
| 1st | 3:54 | HOU | Berrios 14-yard TD from Mills | 13 plays, 79 yards, 5:03 | HOU 7-3 |
| 2nd | 12:27 | MIN | Reichard 38-yard FG | 13 plays, 40 yards, 6:27 | HOU 7-6 |
| 2nd | 3:20 | MIN | Howell 1-yard TD run | 15 plays, 94 yards, 7:10 | MIN 13-7 |
| 3rd | 9:42 | HOU | Fairbairn 43-yard FG | 13 plays, 31 yards, 5:18 | MIN 13-10 |
| 4th | 9:48 | MIN | Price 3-yard TD from Brosmer | 12 plays, 35 yards, 3:48 | MIN 20-10 |
The Vikings’ 94-yard march started at their own 6-yard line. Howell converted third-and-8 from his own 14 and third-and-3 from his own 44 during the possession before pushing across the goal line himself. That touchdown gave Minnesota a 13-7 halftime edge.
Full Team Statistical Breakdown
| Category | Houston Texans | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 194 | 261 |
| Passing Yards | 129 | 175 |
| Rushing Yards | 65 | 86 |
| First Downs | 13 | 20 |
| Third Down Conversions | 6/14 (42.9%) | 5/13 (38.5%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/1 (100%) | 2/2 (100%) |
| Red Zone Scoring | 1/1 (100%) | 2/3 (66.7%) |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Sacks Allowed | 2-19 yards | 2-13 yards |
| Time of Possession | 26:23 | 33:37 |
| Penalties | 8-49 | 4-47 |
Minnesota held the ball for over 33 minutes, limiting Houston to just 194 total yards. The Texans reached the red zone once all game, scoring on that possession when Mills found Berrios. Minnesota made two of their three red zone trips count for scores.
Quarterback Statistics and Performance
Houston’s Quarterback Rotation
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Sacks | Yards/Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kedon Slovis | 11/15 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 82.9 | 2-19 | 4.7 |
| Davis Mills | 4/5 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 147.9 | 0-0 | 10.0 |
| Graham Mertz | 7/14 | 27 | 0 | 3 | 16.7 | 0-0 | 1.9 |
| Team Total | 22/34 | 148 | 1 | 3 | 47.2 | 2-19 | 4.4 |
Davis Mills completed 80% of his passes and threw Houston’s only touchdown on a 14-yard strike to Braxton Berrios in the first quarter. His 147.9 passer rating came in limited action but showed efficiency.
Kedon Slovis saw the most snaps, completing 11 of 15 passes for 71 yards. He took two sacks that cost Houston 19 yards but avoided turnovers while averaging 4.7 yards per attempt.
The former Wisconsin quarterback Mertz averaged just 1.9 yards per attempt and threw three interceptions in the second half. Kahlef Hailassie picked him off twice, including once on third-and-5 from Houston’s 18-yard line in the fourth quarter that set up Minnesota’s final touchdown.
Minnesota’s Quarterback Depth
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Sacks | Yards/Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Howell | 11/13 | 105 | 0 | 0 | 100.3 | 0-0 | 8.1 |
| Max Brosmer | 5/8 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 118.2 | 0-0 | 5.9 |
| J.J. McCarthy | 4/7 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 67.6 | 0-0 | 4.3 |
| Brett Rypien | 1/4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 | 2-13 | 1.5 |
| Team Total | 21/32 | 188 | 1 | 0 | 91.7 | 2-13 | 5.9 |
Sam Howell completed 84.6% of his passes (11 of 13) while directing Minnesota’s offense. The former North Carolina and Washington quarterback converted multiple third downs during the 94-yard touchdown drive and scored the go-ahead touchdown himself on a 1-yard run.
J.J. McCarthy, selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft, made his NFL debut midway through the second quarter. The Michigan product completed his first professional pass to Ty Chandler for 10 yards and scrambled for 8 yards, finishing 4 of 7 for 30 yards.
Max Brosmer closed out the game for Minnesota, throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Myles Price in the fourth quarter. The undrafted rookie went 5 of 8 for 47 yards despite losing a fumble earlier in the contest.
Ground Game Production
Individual Rushing Statistics
| Player | Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zavier Scott | MIN | 7 | 40 | 5.7 | 12 | 0 |
| Dare Ogunbowale | HOU | 5 | 29 | 5.8 | 9 | 0 |
| Jordan Mason | MIN | 4 | 20 | 5.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Jawhar Jordan | HOU | 6 | 18 | 3.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Tre Stewart | MIN | 3 | 10 | 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| Graham Mertz | HOU | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |
| J.J. McCarthy | MIN | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
| Ty Chandler | MIN | 5 | 5 | 1.0 | 4 | 0 |
| J.J. Taylor | HOU | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Woody Marks | HOU | 3 | 4 | 1.3 | 5 | 0 |
| Sam Howell | MIN | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 2 | 1 |
| Brett Rypien | MIN | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Max Brosmer | MIN | 5 | -1 | -0.2 | 3 | 0 |
Minnesota ran 30 times for 86 yards (2.9 average), with Zavier Scott gaining 40 yards on seven carries. Houston managed 65 yards on 17 attempts (3.8 average), led by Dare Ogunbowale’s 29 yards on five carries.
Pass Catching Production
Houston Receiving Corps
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Metchie III | 5 | 45 | 9.0 | 0 | 18 | 8 |
| Braxton Berrios | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| Jaylin Noel | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Brevin Jordan | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Cade Stover | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Jayden Higgins | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| J.J. Taylor | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| British Brooks | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Luke Lachey | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
John Metchie III caught 5 of 8 targets for 45 yards. Braxton Berrios hauled in all three of his targets, including the 14-yard touchdown from Davis Mills. Ten different Texans recorded catches.
Minnesota Receiving Corps
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Addison | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 18 | 4 |
| Lucky Jackson | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 0 | 17 | 4 |
| Ty Chandler | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| Jeshaun Jones | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
| Myles Price | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
| Dontae Fleming | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Tai Felton | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Bryson Nesbit | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Zavier Scott | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Jalen Nailor | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Silas Bolden | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| C.J. Ham | 1 | -3 | -3.0 | 0 | -3 | 1 |
Jordan Addison and Lucky Jackson each caught three passes to lead Minnesota. Twelve different Vikings recorded receptions, with Myles Price hauling in the game-sealing touchdown from Max Brosmer.
Defensive Statistics and Turnover Impact
Top Tacklers
| Player | Team | Total | Solo | Assists | Sacks | TFL | Pass Deflections | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myles Bryant | HOU | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jamal Hill | HOU | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| D’Angelo Ross | HOU | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Russ Yeast | HOU | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Niemann | HOU | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mekhi Blackmon | MIN | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Houston’s defense stayed on the field for 33 minutes and 37 seconds. Myles Bryant and Jamal Hill each made six tackles, with Bryant adding a pass deflection and Hill recording a tackle for loss.
Additional Defensive Contributors
| Player | Team | Total | Solo | Assists | Other Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Hansen | HOU | 4 | 2 | 2 | – |
| E.J. Speed | HOU | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 TFL, 1 PD |
| Zemaiah Vaughn | MIN | 4 | 4 | 0 | – |
| Chaz Chambliss | MIN | 4 | 3 | 1 | – |
| Kobe King | MIN | 4 | 2 | 2 | – |
| Gabriel Murphy | MIN | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hits |
Sack and Pressure Details
| Player | Team | Sacks | Tackles for Loss | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Murphy | MIN | 1.5 | 1 | 5 |
| Casey Toohill | HOU | 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Haggai Ndubuisi | HOU | 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bo Richter | MIN | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
Gabriel Murphy recorded five quarterback hits, the most of any player in the game. His 1.5 sacks included one in the third quarter that pushed Houston backward out of field goal range.
Turnover Details
Interceptions (3 total for Minnesota):
- Kahlef Hailassie: 2 interceptions, 22 return yards
- First: Second quarter, 11-yard return
- Second: Fourth quarter from Houston’s 18-yard line on 3rd-and-5, 11-yard return
- Ambry Thomas: 1 interception, 1 return yard (third quarter)
Fumbles:
- Max Brosmer (MIN): Lost 1 fumble in third quarter
- Jawhar Jordan (HOU): 1 fumble, recovered by himself
- Sam Howell (MIN): 1 fumble, recovered by himself
- Fumble Recoveries: Tremon Smith (HOU) and K.C. Ossai (HOU) each had one
Hailassie’s second interception gave Minnesota possession at Houston’s 29-yard line with the Vikings leading 13-10. Three plays later, Brosmer found Price for the touchdown.
Special Teams Statistics
Field Goal and Extra Point Results
| Kicker | Team | FG Made/Att | FG % | Long | XP Made/Att | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Reichard | MIN | 2/2 | 100% | 48 | 2/2 | 8 |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | HOU | 1/1 | 100% | 43 | 1/1 | 4 |
Will Reichard, Minnesota’s sixth-round draft pick from Alabama and the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, made both field goal attempts. His 48-yarder opened the scoring, and he added a 38-yarder in the second quarter plus both extra points.
Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter that pulled Houston within 13-10.
Punting Performance
| Punter | Team | Punts | Total Yards | Average | Inside 20 | Touchbacks | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Townsend | HOU | 4 | 173 | 43.3 | 1 | 0 | 54 |
| Ryan Wright | MIN | 2 | 103 | 51.5 | 1 | 0 | 54 |
| Oscar Chapman | MIN | 1 | 52 | 52.0 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
Minnesota’s punters combined to average 51.7 yards on three punts, while Townsend averaged 43.3 yards on four punts for Houston. Both teams placed one punt inside the 20-yard line.
Return Game Statistics
Kick Returns:
| Player | Team | Returns | Yards | Average | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woody Marks | HOU | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 26 |
| Braxton Berrios | HOU | 1 | 24 | 24.0 | 24 |
| John Metchie III | HOU | 1 | 23 | 23.0 | 23 |
| Daniel Jackson | HOU | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 |
| Tai Felton | MIN | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 24 |
Punt Returns:
| Player | Team | Returns | Yards | Average | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braxton Berrios | HOU | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 |
| J.J. Taylor | HOU | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 |
| Jawhar Jordan | HOU | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Silas Bolden | MIN | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 |
| Rondale Moore | MIN | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 |
Houston totaled 85 yards on four kick returns (21.3 average) and 12 yards on three punt returns (4.0 average). Minnesota returned two kickoffs for 36 yards (18.0 average) and two punts for 10 yards (5.0 average).
Game Setting and Officials
U.S. Bank Stadium hosted 66,715 fans for the preseason opener. The officiating crew consisted of Rick Patterson, Sarah Thomas, Brad Allen, Chad Hill, Walter Flowers, Tyree Walton, and Marcus Woods. Both teams held out their projected starters, standard practice for preseason week one. No injuries occurred during the game.
Roster Evaluation and Player Impact
Sam Howell’s 11-for-13 passing performance secured Minnesota’s backup quarterback position. The former North Carolina and Washington signal-caller converted multiple third downs during the 94-yard touchdown drive and managed the offense without turnovers.
Houston faces decisions at quarterback behind C.J. Stroud. Davis Mills completed 4 of 5 passes with a touchdown, but the drop-off to Graham Mertz became glaring. The Wisconsin transfer’s three interceptions on 14 attempts, averaging under 2 yards per pass, puts his roster spot in question with final cuts approaching.
Kahlef Hailassie transformed his role with two interceptions. The third-year safety from Western Kentucky had played in just 10 NFL games before this performance, mostly on special teams. His ability to read routes and generate turnovers, particularly his fourth-quarter interception that set up Minnesota’s final score, could earn him defensive snaps during the regular season.
Will Reichard began his NFL career perfectly. The sixth-round selection made both field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder with distance to spare, plus both extra points. His college success as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer translated immediately to the professional level.
The NFL’s official game center documents Minnesota’s 67-yard advantage in total offense and their 7:14 edge in possession time. Fox Sports’ statistical breakdown lists Mertz’s 16.7 passer rating among the lowest in preseason week one.
For additional preseason analysis, see Cincinnati Bengals vs Tennessee Titans statistics and Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Chargers breakdown.
Statistical Leaders
Passing:
- Minnesota: Sam Howell – 11/13, 105 yards, 100.3 rating, 1 rushing TD
- Houston: Davis Mills – 4/5, 50 yards, 147.9 rating, 1 passing TD
Rushing:
- Minnesota: Zavier Scott – 7 carries, 40 yards, 5.7 average
- Houston: Dare Ogunbowale – 5 carries, 29 yards, 5.8 average
Receiving:
- Minnesota: Jordan Addison – 3 receptions, 33 yards
- Houston: John Metchie III – 5 receptions, 45 yards
Defense:
- Interceptions: Kahlef Hailassie (MIN) – 2
- Sacks: Gabriel Murphy (MIN) – 1.5
- Total Tackles: Myles Bryant & Jamal Hill (HOU) – 6 each
- Quarterback Hits: Gabriel Murphy (MIN) – 5
Minnesota’s 20-10 victory came through quarterback depth, three defensive turnovers, and reliable kicking. The Vikings controlled possession for 33:37 while limiting Houston to 194 total yards. Graham Mertz’s three interceptions overshadowed Davis Mills’ touchdown pass and left Houston with serious questions at backup quarterback before the regular season.
