With the Minnesota Vikings savoring the unfamiliar vibe of being in full control in the fourth quarter, Justin Jefferson climbed on the bench to repeatedly wave his arms in encouragement of the home crowd to roar even louder for a defense that had the Houston Texans on their heels all afternoon.

Sam Darnold outplayed Stroud, who was 20-of-31 for 215 yards and a touchdown. Darnold left for one play after a roughing the passer penalty on former Viking Danielle Hunter in the third quarter.

Jonathan Greenard had three of the four sacks of Stroud, his former teammate, as the Vikings (3-0) intercepted the 2023 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year twice while rattling the Texans (2-1) with their aggressive and unpredictable scheme — and the crowd noise that cranked up with each stop.