Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said his mentor, Bill Parcells, used to place mousetraps in the locker room if he feared a “trap game’’ was coming up.

Zimmer, though, won’t be doing that before Sunday’s game against Houston at U.S. Bank Stadium. He doesn’t have any concern about the 4-0 Vikings possibly overlooking the Texans.

“Trust me, this isn’t a trap game,’’ Zimmer said Thursday. “These guys are 3-1. They’re (defending) AFC South champions. They’ve got a good program. We’re going to have to play really good to win. … They have our full attention.’’ Related Articles Vikings sign linebacker Hardy Nickerson off practice squad

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Zimmer was defensive coordinator under Parcells with Dallas from 2003-06. He said the hall of fame coach resorted to all sorts of motivational ploys.

Zimmer also isn’t worried about the Vikings looking ahead to their bye week. Following Sunday’s game, they don’t play again until Oct. 23 at Philadelphia.

The way some players were talking Thursday, perhaps having an upcoming bye could serve as motivation.

“If you lose before a bye week, it’s awful,’’ said guard Alex Boone. “It’s tough. So this has got to be a win week.’’

The Vikings are one of three remaining undefeated NFL teams. Defensive end Brian Robison said a victory would put them “in a good position’’ entering their bye week.

“Hopefully, we can be 5-0 coming out of this week and then just sit back and see what happens with everybody else,’’ Robison said. “If Houston comes in here and we drop the ball and we don’t play well, then it’s probably going to be the end of the world to everybody.’’

BRIEFLY