The Houston Texans defeated the Minnesota Vikings 28-24 in Thursday night's final exhibition game at Reliant Stadium. Halfback Justin Forsett opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. After a Vikings field goal narrowed the margin to 7-3, DeVier Posey hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Beck. The Vikings answered back with a 58-yard touchdown pass of their own to close the half, as Sage Rosenfels connected with Devon Aromashodu.

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 from McLeod Bethel-Thompson to Jarius Wright and a Jordan Todman 76-yard run. Neither team managed to score in the fourth quarter.

Neither team chose to play its starters for any significant amount of time. Texans third-string quarterback John Beck started the game, with both Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates sitting the game out. Beck completed 6 of 10 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Case 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.

Minnesota was led by the unheralded Bethel-Thompson, who went 14/26 for 191 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Rosenfels added 7 completions on 11 attempts for 111 yards and a score. Jordan Todman ran for 114 yards on just 10 attempts. Jarius Wright, a rookie from Arkansas, caught 6 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Aromashodu added 89 yards and a score on 5 receptions.

The game brings the exhibition season to a close for both teams. Houston opens their regular season next Sunday at Carolina. The Vikings will host Jacksonville Sunday afternoon.

For your Vikings updates, head over to the Daily Norseman. For more information on the Texans, pay a visit to Battle Red Blog.