Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans: "DeMeco has done an unbelievable job in a really short amount of time. They play the way I know he wants his football teams to play. We've got a real, real big challenge for us."
O'Connell on the Texans Offense: "I don't know if there's a better group of three receivers going right now as far as different skill sets but super dynamic. They really have everything you're looking for and you haven't even talked about the back, [TE Dalton] Schultz or a really, really good O-Line. So, really big-time challenge."
Vikings Cornerback Camryn Bynum on the Texans Offense: "They're really a complete team. This is one of those matchups that you're looking forward to because we know that they have good receivers at every single spot. Good running back. Obviously a good quarterback."
O'Connell on Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud: "Quarterback is a special, special football player as I've really gotten a chance for the first time getting into some of the crossover tape is one thing, when you've got a game plan around certain players playing them that Sunday. Unbelievable talent, C.J.'s off to such a great start in his career and has already become such a focal point of how you want to prepare defensively with what they bring to the table and really impact players at all three levels. The thing that stands out the most is his arm talent. I mean, this guy is making throws in and out of the pocket that the list, if you make a list of the guys capable of making some of the throws, it's not going to be a very long list that C.J. makes. Then I think he's got, it never ever seems too big for him from the first time he went out there to now he seems incredibly prepared, so he's obviously got a great process throughout the week. The experience of playing and leading that team is only making him more comfortable in his role. I just think he's a guy that played in a lot of big games, been coached really well there. I know Jerrod [Johnson] doing a great job with the quarterbacks there in Houston. I can't say enough about what shows up to me on tape. I mean, I've been like everybody else, if it's on TV, we're not playing, I've seen him make a lot of big time throws and plays in games. Then when you dive into the tape and you see the snap in and snap out impact he has, it's pretty remarkable for such a young player."
Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores on Stroud: "I think he's an up-and-coming, rising star. Big arm talent. Is hard to bring down. Pocket presence. Command of the offense. Quarterback mobility. But he keeps his eyes downfield and can make explosive plays down the field."
Bynum on Stroud: "A really great quarterback. He's from my hometown, down in I.E., so shoutout to him. But it's going to be really competitive."
Vikings Defensive End Jonathan Greenard on Stroud: "Mature quarterback. He can literally make every throw. Humble kid."
Vikings Cornerback Stephon Gilmore on Texans Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs: "He's a great receiver, making plays his whole career. They're using him a little different in Houston. But he's still got the big playmaking ability."
Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips on the Texans Defense: "It's a challenge with these guys. Danielle coming back, we know Danielle very well, and he knows us.
Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold on the Texans Defense: "They bring a lot of different looks. I think the different pressures that they bring, they're able to disguise it pretty well and bring in some of their pressures. But again, I think just being able to watch the tape and being prepared, as prepared as possible, for this team and for this opportunity this week is going to be huge for us."
O'Connell on Texans Defensive End Danielle Hunter: "It's the same guy that's just an absolute game wrecker, disruptor, playing really hard, physical. How they play really fits Danielle's skill set and how he can impact the game. Then I think he's going to be an unbelievable mentor in that room to a really, really talented football player on the other side in Will Anderson. It feels like I know we're going to get in the habit of talking about either interior or these pass rushers every week, but that's what this league is now. It's a challenge every single week, and Danielle has to be a major focal point in our game plan."
Vikings Running Back Aaron Jones on Hunter: "How fast he gets off the ball, how creative he is on his rushes. You've seen the spin move a lot. He's kind of like a freak of nature, how fast he is, moving at his size. He's like 6-5, which you don't see a lot on the football field, either. The guy's never ate a carb. He's cut up. You see him, and you're like, 'This guy looks different from everybody else.' But he's a special player."
