(late injury and line moves updated on Saturday afternoon)
Minnesota Vikings (0-3) vs. Houston Texans (0-3)
Who will earn their first win of the season when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Houston Texans on Sunday? Both of these teams enter the contest 0-3 and may be the biggest disappointments early on in the season.
There is concern that this contest may be postponed as the Vikings have shut down their training facility after several reported cases of COVID-19 by the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings have reported no cases of their own, as of Saturday.
Line Movements:
The line has stayed flat for this contest since the lines opened. Houston opened as a 3.5-point favorite, which is the usual home-field advantage point spread for evenly matched teams. It has not moved all week long. 68 percent of the bets ATS are backing the Texans and giving the points.
The over/under for this game, on the other hand, has decreased slightly as the week has gone on. Originally opening at 54.5 points, the total is now going at 53.5 points at most sportsbooks. 77 percent of the bets on the total are backing the over.
Game-time Weather: NRG Stadium is a retractable roof venue.
The Resistible Force
Should the contest occur, the Vikings will be looking to earn their first victory of the season. After a nine-point loss to the Packers to begin the season, Minnesota was crushed by the Indianapolis Colts, losing 28-11.
Last Sunday, Minnesota held a 12-point lead halfway through the third quarter and led by five points with 10 minutes left in the contest. However, Stephen Gostkowski hit a 55-yard field goal with 1:44 left to give the Titans a 31-30 victory.
QuarterbackKirk Cousinsthrew for 251 yards and three touchdowns but also threw two interceptions. That gives Cousins just 623 yards passing this season and five touchdowns, but he has also thrown six interceptions and been sacked seven times. The Vikings QB is completing only 59% of his passes.
Dalvin Cookmay be the answer at the running back position for Minnesota after rushing for 181 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee. That gives Cook 294 yards rushing and four TDs this season. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen lead the team in receptions with 12 each. Jefferson has 245 yards receiving while Thielen has three TD receptions.
The Vikings defense has been a serious issue. The team has allowed an average of 34 points per game through the first three contests, 31st in the league. The defense cannot give their offense any additional possessions, recording just two turnovers, and they have three sacks as a group.
Injury Report:
OUT: LB Anthony Barr, S Myles Dorn, LB Troy Dye, G Pat Elflein, LB Ben Gedeon, CB Mike Hughes, DE Danielle Hunter, DT Michael Pierce, LB Cameron Smith, DE Kenny Willekes
Doubtful: CB Kris Boyd
Questionable: CB Cameron Dantzler
Tough Early Schedule Haunts Texans
While no team wants to start 0-3, a little understanding can be given to the Houston Texans. After all, they started the season by losing to the defending Super Bowl champions, then lost to the team that had the best record in the NFL last season, the Baltimore Ravens, before falling to the Steelers in Pittsburgh last week. Not exactly losses you hang your head about.
The problem with the Pittsburgh loss was that Houston looked like they had this game in the bag. They took an 11-point lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by David Johnson about four minutes into the second quarter and held a four-point lead at the half. They led the Steelers by one with six minutes left in the game before Pittsburgh took the lead for good.
QuarterbackDeShaun Watsonhad arguably his best game of the season, completing 19 of 27 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked five times in the game, giving him an appalling 13 sacks through the first three weeks. The offensive line is going to have to improve quickly before Watson gets seriously hurt.
The O-line's mediocre play may be the reason why running backDavid Johnsonis struggling early this season. Johnson gained just 23 yards on 13 carries against Pittsburgh and now has 134 yards on 35 carries through three weeks. The Texans have an abysmal 198 yards rushing this year.
Houston has had some success getting to the quarterback, recording seven sacks. However, the group has recorded no turnovers through the first three weeks and has only forced one fumble. When you cannot run the ball, and you cannot stop opposing teams on offense, it is not surprising that you are losing.
Injury Report:
OUT: CB Gareon Conley, WR Isaiah Coulter, LB Duke Ejiofor, S A.J. Moore Jr., NT Eddie Vanderdoes, TE Kahale Warring
Questionable: LB Zach Cunningham, FB Cullen Gillaspia, DE Jonathan Greenard, LB Peter Kalambayi
Notable Trends
Houston Texans:
- 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games when they are the favored team.
- 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games at home.
- 0-4 ATS in their last four games.
Minnesota Vikings:
- 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games in October.
- 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games against teams with a losing record.
- 6-2 ATS in their last eight games in Week 4.
