The Houston Texans defeated the Minnesota Vikings 28-24 in Thursday night's final exhibition game at Reliant Stadium in a game light on stars but full of big plays. Houston halfback Justin Forsett scored the night's first touchdown on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. After a Vikings field goal narrowed the margin to 7-3, DeVier Posey took a John Beck pass 80 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings scored a long touchdown of their own, as Sage Rosenfels connected with Devon Aromashodu for a 58-yard touchdown late in the half.
The teams traded two touchdowns each in the third quarter, with Houston's scores coming by way of a 76-yard punt return by Trindon Holliday and Forsett's second touchdown of the night, a 5-yard run. Minnesota got a 59-yard touchdown pass and a Jordan Todman 76-yard run. Neither team managed to score in the fourth quarter, as the Texans were able to hold the Vikings out of the end zone as time expired.
With the regular season starting next weekend, both the Texans and Vikings rested their starters for the entirety of the game. Houston chose to sit both starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup T.J. Yates, relying instead on third-stringer John Beck and rookie Case Keenum. Beck completed 6 of 10 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. Keenum went 5/10 for 43 yards. Forsett ran 13 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Posey led the team in receiving with two receptions for 93 yards, the vast majority of those coming on the aforementioned touchdown pass.
The game brings the exhibition season to a close for both teams. Houston opens their regular season next Sunday at Carolina.
For news and analysis from the Texans, pay a visit to Battle Red Blog. For your Vikings updates, head over to the Daily Norseman.