Braxton Berrios caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Davis Mills midway through the first quarter, giving the Houston Texans a surprising 7-3 lead over the Minnesota Vikings in their 2025 preseason opener. But by the final whistle at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, August 9, 2025, it was Minnesota who walked away with a 20-10 victory — thanks to a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that silenced Houston’s early momentum. The game, played under humid night lights, wasn’t about star power. It was about depth, development, and the quiet battles that define preseason football.
Early Spark, Then Silence
The Texans’ opening drive was methodical: 10 plays, 74 yards, over five minutes. On third-and-5, Mills floated a play-action pass to Berrios near the left pylon. The 29-year-old receiver, known more for his special teams hustle than big-play explosiveness, turned it into a race to the corner. NFL.com called it a "pylon-race TD," and it was the first score of Houston’s 2025 preseason. Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point made it 7-3. For a moment, it felt like the Texans’ offense had found a rhythm. But the Vikings responded with precision. Will Reichard, the 24-year-old German-born kicker, nailed a 48-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3, then added a 38-yarder early in the second quarter. That’s when Houston made its first quarterback change, pulling Mills for Kedon Slovis. The move signaled the start of a rotating carousel — a hallmark of preseason football, where coaches test depth and timing.Quarterback Carousel and Turning Point
Minnesota countered by benching starter J.J. McCarthy after one series — his first action since missing his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards, enough to set up Reichard’s second field goal. Sam Howell, the former UNC standout now with the Vikings, took over and delivered the game’s defining play: a 94-yard, 12-play drive capped by his own one-yard quarterback sneak. The touchdown gave Minnesota a 13-7 lead at halftime. Houston’s offense stalled after Mills exited. Slovis managed just 47 yards in the second half. In the third quarter, Fairbairn finally got the Texans back on the board with a 43-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 13-10. That’s when rookie Graham Mertz entered. The former Wisconsin signal-caller, just 24, was supposed to be Houston’s future. Instead, he delivered a critical mistake — a fourth-quarter interception that handed Minnesota the ball at their own 28-yard line.The Final Blow
The Vikings, now led by Max Brosmer — a 24-year-old journeyman who’d spent most of last season on practice squads — didn’t waste the opportunity. On third-and-8, Brosmer hit wide receiver Myles Price with a three-yard slant. Price lunged forward, got the first down, and then dove into the end zone. The score made it 20-10 with 9:47 left. The crowd roared. The Texans’ offense never got the ball back. It was a game of contrasts. Houston cycled through three quarterbacks, each with limited reps. Minnesota, meanwhile, showed depth — McCarthy returning from injury, Howell moving the chains, Brosmer delivering the dagger. The Vikings also played without Justin Jefferson, their All-Pro receiver, and several other key starters. That makes their offensive execution all the more telling.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Texans, the takeaway isn’t the loss. It’s the uncertainty. Davis Mills, the presumed starter, looked sharp in limited time. But Slovis and Mertz offered little consistency. With the regular season opener just three weeks away, Houston’s coaching staff still doesn’t have a clear heir apparent behind Mills. The offensive line also struggled to create running lanes — a troubling sign given their offseason investments. For Minnesota, the victory was a quiet statement. J.J. McCarthy’s return was clean, efficient. Sam Howell showed poise under pressure. And Max Brosmer, a name few outside the Vikings’ locker room knew before Saturday, proved he can execute when it counts. The defense, though missing key starters, held Houston to 10 points and forced a turnover in the red zone. That’s the kind of resilience coaches love to see in August.Looking Ahead
The Texans’ 2025 regular season schedule includes a Week 17 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 28, and a flexible Week 18 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts — a game that could determine playoff seeding. The Vikings, meanwhile, host the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and face a tough early slate that includes road trips to Kansas City and Buffalo. Preseason games are rarely about wins and losses. But this one revealed something real: the Vikings’ depth is deeper than expected, and the Texans’ quarterback situation remains a question mark.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Braxton Berrios’ touchdown impact Houston’s offensive strategy?
Berrios’ 14-yard touchdown was Houston’s only offensive highlight of the game, showcasing his ability to convert short passes into scores. But after that drive, the Texans failed to sustain any meaningful offensive momentum. His role as a slot receiver and return specialist remains valuable, but the team’s inability to generate consistent production from its QB rotation overshadowed his contribution.
Why did the Vikings rotate quarterbacks so frequently?
Minnesota used the preseason opener to evaluate depth behind starter J.J. McCarthy, who was returning from injury. Sam Howell showed he can lead a scoring drive, and Max Brosmer delivered the game-sealing touchdown. With no clear #2 or #3 QB locked in, the Vikings needed to see how each performed under pressure — especially in late-game scenarios.
What does this game reveal about Houston’s quarterback situation?
The Texans’ rotation of Mills, Slovis, and Mertz exposed a lack of cohesion. Mills looked competent but was pulled after one quarter. Slovis struggled with timing, and Mertz’s interception was costly. With no clear backup to Mills, Houston may need to explore trade options or free agency before Week 1, especially if their offensive line doesn’t improve.
Was J.J. McCarthy’s return a success?
Yes. McCarthy completed 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards in his first game since tearing his meniscus in 2024. He didn’t throw a TD or pick, but he managed the offense efficiently and avoided mistakes. For a player coming off a year-long injury, that’s exactly what coaches want to see. His mobility was intact, and his decision-making looked sharp.
Why didn’t the Texans score after their 13-10 deficit?
After Fairbairn’s 43-yard field goal cut the lead to 13-10, Houston’s offense went three-and-out twice and then turned the ball over on Mertz’s interception. The offensive line gave up pressure on key downs, and the receivers couldn’t get separation. Without a reliable passing game or running threat, they couldn’t move the chains against Minnesota’s second-string defense.
How did weather or stadium conditions affect the game?
Temperatures hovered around 82°F at kickoff, with moderate humidity — typical for Minneapolis in early August. The field was dry, and there was no wind interference. Conditions were ideal, so performance differences weren’t weather-related. Instead, the outcome hinged on execution, decision-making, and coaching choices — especially in the fourth quarter.