Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Week 3 preview and predictions

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Houston Texans at noon CST on Sunday afternoon. It's a battle of 2-0 teams and the Vikings are the only team to be totally undefeated, having also gone undefeated in the preseason.  As we take a look at this game, the Vikings are slight underdogs but […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Houston Texans at noon CST on Sunday afternoon. It's a battle of 2-0 teams and the Vikings are the only team to be totally undefeated, having also gone undefeated in the preseason. 

As we take a look at this game, the Vikings are slight underdogs but the game looks to be evenly matched. The biggest impact will come at the quarterback position. Will Sam Darnold be able to outplay C.J. Stroud? If he can, it's likely a Vikings victory.

Going into Sunday, here is our ultimate preview of the game.

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Preview content

How to watch
Uniforms
Power Rankings
Broadcast Map
Aaron Jones Lambeau Leap
Justin Jefferson vs. Derek Stingley Jr.
Jordan Addison
Stephon Gilmore
Keys to victory

Game information

Kickoff: 12 p.m. CT

Network: CBS 

Announcers: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Weather: Indoors

Keys for the Minnesota Vikings

  • Run the ball up the middle
  • Pepper Justin Jefferson with targets
  • Stop Tank Dell
  • Get pressure consistently

Keys for the Houston Texans

  • Don't abandon the running game
  • Hit the easy button with Tank Dell
  • Don't let Justin Jefferson beat you
  • Prevent the big play

Betting odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: Texans -1.5

Over/under: 46.0

Moneyline: Vikings +102, Texans -122

Prediction

This is a tough game to predict. When you look at both teams, they are eerily similar to each other. They have powerful offenses with a lot of talent at the wide receiver position and defenses that know how to get to the quarterback.

This game will come down to little things with the pass rush being the biggest factor. With how defensive coordinator Brian Flores is making things difficult for opposing quarterbacks, expect that to continue and the Vikings move to 3-0.

Prediction: Vikings 24, Texans 16

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