Justin Jefferson and Tank Dell highlight Minnesota Vikings' keys to victory in Week 3 vs. Houston Texans
The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon with both teams looking to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Texans can potentially take a three-game lead in the AFC South while a win would put the Vikings in a good spot with a division game against the Green […]
The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon with both teams looking to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Texans can potentially take a three-game lead in the AFC South while a win would put the Vikings in a good spot with a division game against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.
The first two games for the Vikings have been eye-opening. The offense has put up 51 points while the defense has allowed just 23. Their 28-point differential is the second-highest in the National Football League. Other than the New Orleans Saints, who rank first in point differential, the Vikings might be the biggest surprise in the NFL.
What can they do to get the win on Sunday? It won't be easy but certainly doable.
Run with power
The Vikings running game has taken a massive step forward this season. They have 257 rushing yards through two games this year whereas last season, they had only 69 yards at this point in the season.
The Texans do have some vulnerability up the middle. Azeez Al-Shaiir is a solid linebacker but it's the interior of the defensive line that can be taken advantage of. Their duo of Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. are built more for rushing the passer than it is to stop the run. With how well the Vikings' interior offensive line has been moving bodies in the run game, getting Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler opportunities is a major factor in getting things rolling for the Vikings' offense.
Get Justin Jefferson involved
Sam Darnold has been a renaissance this season for the Vikings. He has thrived in every situation that has been put in front of him. Need a big third down? Darnold has the Vikings seventh in the NFL with a 45.5% conversion rate. How about a two-minute drill? He can do that too. How about chewing up the clock without Justin Jefferson on the field up six points on the 49ers? No problem.
Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL and will be playing on Sunday after suffering a quad contusion against the 49ers. It will be his first game facing former college teammate Derek Stingley Jr. and it looks to be a fun matchup to watch. Getting him involved early, especially on crossing routes since the Texans like to use a lot of man coverage, is a great way to get him involved early and often.
Prioritize stopping Tank Dell
One of the difficult parts about playing the Texans is dealing with the multitude of weapons they have on the outside. Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs are household names but the Texans' 2023 third-round pick might be the biggest x-factor.
I spoke to the managing editor of Texans Wire Cole Thompson about who could be the biggest x-factor on The Real Forno Show and he agreed that it is Dell.
"I think it has to be Tank Dell because they're planning for Stefon like I'm already just guaranteeing you in practice they're trying to find ways to take him out of the game. Nico Collins they'll double-team him if they have to. Tank Dell had negative three yards last week against the Chicago Bears. He has not had negative yards since high school. He's always finished with at least 10 yards per game. The fact that he was taken out I think that they're just going to be playing pissed off and trying to funnel-feed him as much as possible because I think there is a clear matchup when you look at how they play against Stefon Diggs. I think there's a clear matchup on how they play against Nico Collins. I think there's a clear matchup of how they're going to guard Dalton Schultz.
"If Shaq Griffin who by the way was a former Texan as well another name that was also involved on the outside, there were multiple plays last year in practice where Shaq Griffin just could not stop Tank Dell and I'm gonna be completely fair, most people can't stop Tank Dell. Tank Dell will stop himself or the ball just won't get to him like that's how fast he is and how quick of a route runner and change of direction he has in his 5 foot and 165 pound frame that somehow can take on hits from 230-pound linebackers and get back up and still be smiling afterward. Like, he's that good I think he has to be the x-factor in this game."
Dell is quite a fascinating player. He's historically small but his electric combination of quickness, polished route running and speed make him very difficult to guard. Who will the Vikings trust to cover a player of that caliber? Will they have Byron Murphy Jr. kick inside the entire game and follow him? Have a platoon of players where they just run their defense? That will be the element that I keep an eye on this Sunday.
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