Yes, Brock Osweiler has a contract befitting a franchise player, but he joined the Houston Texans this year with only seven career starts.

Sam Bradford was once the first overall pick in the draft, but if the Minnesota Vikings finish with a winning record this season this will be the first time he’s experienced that in his professional career.

Quality quarterback performance has never been more important in the present-day NFL, but what has also become clear is that success is possible without one of the league’s established elite taking the snaps.

Dominant defense, with reigning Super Bowl champion Denver as the prime exhibit, is a must have.

That’s primarily why the Texans (3-1) and Vikings (4-0) are winning, and they’re not alone.

Philadelphia (rookie Carson Wentz), New England (suspended Tom Brady), Denver (first-time starter Trevor Siemian), St. Louis (career fill-in Case Keenum) and Dallas (rookie Dak Prescott) also have aided less-than-ideal blueprints at quarterback this season with defenses that rank in the top 10 in points allowed.

“When you look at the Vikings defense, you’re looking at a terrific defense,” Osweiler said. “We know the challenge we have going on the road.”

The Vikings will face one on Sunday as well. Even without superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans have been difficult to move the ball against.

“They’re very sound. Very rarely does it look like guys are out of place,” Bradford said. “They’re just playing really good football on that side right now.”

The Blair Walsh project

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh ranks 28th in the NFL with a 72.7 percent field goal rate that wouldn’t be as concerning if he hadn’t had some struggles the past few years and the infamous miss of a 27-yard try at the end of the one-point loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs last season.