This was the most impressive victory the Vikings have had since 2009 today, and even though Adrian Peterson failed to amass at least 100 yards rushing for a ninth consecutive time he very much had a big say in the game. Houston did a wonderful job slowing the creature, and that's a quality tackling bunch led by the best defensive player in the NFL in J.J. WATT.

But thanks to the attention they paid to our MVP, CHRISTIAN PONDER was able to guide the offense like a good quarterback should, and he did just that with a 174-1-0 effort. He also ran seven times for 48 yards, and played with the most poise and control he has displayed all season. He started 3 of 3 for 62 yards and hit KYLE RUDOLPH for the first TD of the game. His 17-yard completion to JEROME SIMPSON early fourth came on third and 13 and against a ferocious rush, and he handled with aplomp.

All contributed to the upset today, a shining moment in the developing career of key coaches like LESLIE FRAZIER, OC BILL MUSGRAVE and DC ALAN WILLIAMS. All executed very well and assisted our win.

THE OFFENSE: The Texans undoubtedly were not going to let Adrian go immortality on them. So, to combat the approach and the elite pass-deflecting skills of Watt (15 passes defensed and none today), Musgrave used more motion and shifting than at anytime this season. We had guys moving before every play, and when JJ would switch sides we threw the other way. Musgrave's plan was as good as I have seen this year.

The Texans were so hell bent on stopping Adrian when Ponder would "boot leg" Rudolph and others were wide open and we'd get large chunks of yardage, The first "boot" came on the first possession when it was second and 12 and Ponder rolled out to his right, found Rudolph, there was nary a Texan in the vicinity and Kyle rambled for 27. That's scheme. That's Musgrave. That's catching Houston with a "gotcha" play. Well done.

They also were not afraid to use rookie JARIUS WRIGHT on some PERCY PLAYS, and the kid cut loose for 53 yards on five catches and was targeted nine times. He had one flipped to him on an end around and went for eight, and the offensive creativity was apparent all game and against one of thre games very best front-seven alignments.

Adrian's longest run was for 21 yards and he'll be better next week against Green Bay. But to win at a high level we need balance like we had today (174 yards rushing and passing). Musgrave handled Houston's staff with a young quarterback and group of receivers that hadn't done much this year, and Vikings' fans should be proud of what they saw.

THE DEFENSE: We kept the Texans out of the end zone, the only time this year they have failed to score a TD. That really is the A topic out of the game because Houston averaged nearly 30 PPG into the game and didn't get squat against us.

EVERSON GRIFFEN continues to play extremely well and was in SCHAUB'S mix most of the day. He had his way with Houston's offensive line, and his "stunts" up the middle were tough to defend because he's so fast.

Williams had his DB's blitzing from all angles again, WINFIELD got there and HARRISON SMITH almost did, too. That's a very explosive offense the Vikings throttled today, a Texans team that left the game with zero runs or passes for more than 20 yards. Too, we put them on a 1-for-11 third-down day, and given they were best in the NFL in that category that's another facet of this improving young team that should have fans tickled.

SPECIAL TEAMS: BLAIR WALSH is the best kicker in the NFL, and his 56-yard make set an NFL record for hits from 50 and beyond (nine). He finished 3-for-3 and is 32-for-35 this year. His kickoffs are so good the team has not allowed a kick return past the 25 since October 7, which is now 10 consecutive games.

KLUWE'S punt late to pin the Texans at the one yards line was a masterpiece, and MARCUS SHERELS' 19-yard return paved the way to quality field position and, eventually a score.

So, we close next week at home versus Green Bay and depending on how the games fall (crafting as we fly) it could be for the proverbial enchilada. Despite the loss a few weeks ago at Lambeau I very much like how they defended AARON RODGERS a fair amout of the game, and I swear if Ponder doesn't throw that awful pick to MORGAN BURNETT and we score early third we beat tham and could be playing for an off week in the playoffs.

But we lost and that's that. This is a chance to right that wrong, and the MOA throng will be all jacked up to support its favorite team. I cannot wait!