Watch: Vikings QB Sam Darnold throws third TD vs. Texans

Darnold has thrown three touchdowns through three quarters. Meanwhile, Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has tossed one touchdown and one interception.

The Vikings are 2-0, but many analysts aren't convinced they're contenders. ESPN's Benjamin Solak named them a pretender in his Tuesday column. 

Beating the Texans (2-0) would help Minnesota prove it's a potential playoff team. More importantly, it would continue to help Darnold, 27, salvage his career. 

This offseason, Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year, $10M deal as a bridge QB for rookie J.J. McCarthy, who suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in the preseason.  

Darnold has looked sharp, though. Through the Vikings' first two games, the 2018 No. 3 overall pick passed for 476 yards, four touchdowns and two picks and recorded the NFL's fourth-best QBR (71.3).