Texans suffer 1st regular season loss vs. Vikings in Diggs' long-awaited return to Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (KTRK) -- The Houston Texans suffered their first loss of the regular season in a lopsided 34-7 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon.

In the first few minutes of the first quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw his first interception on his second snap after 266 attempts. Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn also missed an opportunity after failing on a 54-yard field goal attempt.

Concerning the Vikings, Minnesota took the lead early in the first quarter with starting quarterback Sam Darnold firing a 6-yard touchdown to wideout Justin Jefferson to begin the game with a 7-0 lead. Towards the final minute of the first quarter, Darnold connected with running back Aaron Jones for the 8-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0 over Houston.

In the first half, Houston had seven penalties for 40 yards while Minnesota had three penalties for 15 yards.

The Texans' offense struggled early on and went scoreless through the first two quarters, trailing 14-0 at halftime.

To begin the third quarter, Vikings' Darnold found wide receiver Jalen Nailor for the 4-yard touchdown for a 21-0 lead over Houston. However, Houston broke their scoreless drought when Stroud connected with running back Cam Akers for the 8-yard touchdown, narrowing the lead to 21-7. Texans' Akers also got the start with fellow running back Joe Mixon, who didn't travel with the team due to an ankle injury.

In the fourth quarter, Vikings placekicker Will Reichard hit a 35-yard field goal attempt to put Minnesota up, 24-7. As for Houston, Texans' Stroud threw his second interception of the game after Vikings safety Camryn Bynum intercepted his pass. Yet, the Vikings continued their offensive surge with Jefferson catching a 6-yard touchdown from Darnold for a 31-7 lead. With under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Vikings' Reichard scored another field-goal attempt with a 58-yarder, growing the lead to 34-7 over the Texans.

Not to mention, it was a homecoming game spoiled for Texans players, Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter, who were both drafted by Minnesota in 2015.

Overall, Stroud and the Texans couldn't find a rhythm and struggled against a tough Vikings' defense on Sunday.

In Week 4, the Texans will look to bounce back and return home at NRG Stadium to host their AFC South rivals, Jacksonville Jaguars, at noon on Sept. 29.