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Looking ahead to Minnesota

Sweech said:
I actually think Pattersson is pretty underrated and was a little disappointed that the starting C job wasn't really a competition this training camp.

Overall my take on Fisher is he's a developmental prospect and I'd like him to still develop a little further outside of the limelight. I'm not convinced he's actually better than Tytus and other than Tytus going down with injury don't see the value of thrusting him in just yet.
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My philosophy is that if you’ve got two players and the projected performance is equal, you go with the younger player with more upside. Let them grow and develop, by the end of the season they are now the clear upgrade while the vet is going to maintain the same level of play regardless.
 
Texansballer74 said:

Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game

Jon Hoefling
USA TODAY

After dismantling the New York Giants in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings were put to the test in Week 2 and came out victorious against the San Francisco 49ers. However, that wasn't enough for the football gods to be pleased it seems. With Week 3 comes another daunting test in the shape of C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.

Both teams are 2-0 heading into this weekend's matchup, and although the Texans look like the clearly superior roster, the Vikings have some tricks up their sleeves. Under head coach Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings are 19-0 when they don't lose the turnover battle. When they come away with as many or more turnovers as their opponents, they've yet to lose in the Kevin O'Connell era.

Of course, winning the turnover battle is easier said than done. Stroud has yet to throw an interception this season, and the Texans have only lost one fumble through two games. It will certainly be a tough matchup, but the Vikings have proven capable of handling even the best teams the NFL has to offer.

www.usatoday.com

Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game

Predictions and picks for the 2024 NFL Week 3 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans.
www.usatoday.com
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The article addresses Vikings being 19 and 0 when winning the turnover battle but doesn't even mention Texans when they win the turnover battle? Come on
 
Positional breakdown Texans @ Vikings:

QB: Advantage Texans

Darnold has started well this season. He has weapons and O’connell is a good coach who gets the most out of his QBs. But he is not him. That’s our guy!

RB: Advantage Vikings

Mixon is likely out this week. If he plays he wont be at his best. I like Akers but did not like the fumble last week. Hope that’s not a sign of things to come if he moves into a larger role. Aaron Jones has a knack for finding the end zone. Former British Brooks teammate Ty Chandler has 4.3 speed and ran for 82 yards on 10 carries against SF.

WR: Advantage Texans

Vikings might have the best WR in the league in Jefferson but as a unit the Texans win this one. Especially with Addison likely out this week. Nailor has shown promise in a larger role for them but that still doesn’t measure up to the Nico/Diggs/Dell trio. Plus Woods/Hutch/Sims in reserve.

TE: Advantage Texans

The Texans TE room is definitely weaker without Brevin Jordan but he was TE 2 at best. The Vikings are playing without their clear TE1 T.J. Hockenson. This would be advantage Vikings if Hockenson were healthy.

OL: Advantage Vikings

The issues at center for Houston give the Vikings the edge here. Vikings OL allowed 4 sacks and have averaged 5 ypc in the running game playing the Giants and 49ers stout DLs. Texans OL on pqper is awesome but we are still waiting for that fully healthy starting 5 OL to not only play an extended period of time together but to gel as a unit. The issues on the OL picking up stunts are mainly communication related. They just need to play together more! Tunsil/Howard didn’t practice most of camp, Texans might be on center # 3. If we hadn’t already seen C.J. overcome OL issues i’d be concerned. Good thing we have him.

Offense 3-2 Texans

 
DL: Advantage Texans

I will put the Texans QB hunters against anyone the team faces this season. Strength of the team starts up front here.

LB: Advantage Vikings

This would maybe change if Harris were healthy. And if Greenard were classified as a DL. But ranking Greenard as a LB gives them the edge. Although i’ve been impressed with To’o To’o to start the season and Shaair bounced back well against Chicago. Pace/Cashman are both dynamic albeit undersized players.

CB: Advantage Texans

I think Gilmore and Griffin on the outside is the matchup to exploit. Just don’t think they can run with the Texans WRs. Murphy is a good nickel but don’t think he can keep up either. Stingley and Lassiter will have their hands full with Jefferson but there’s not a CB in the league i’d take over Stingley to travel with Jefferson.

S: Advantage Vikings

Harrison Smith has been a top 5 safety in the league it seems like a decade now. Bynum is in his third year starting next to Smith. This continuity gives them the edge over the Texans safeties who have shown some communication issues.

Defense 2-2 tie

Special Teams: Advantage Texans

Come on now, do we really need to talk about why?? Kaimi the goat!

Overall 6-4 advantage Texans
 
I think this is the week to let C.J. loose. I don’t think the path to victory is to run down their throat. The questions at center and RB along with losing Brevin Jordan blocking on the edge make this suboptimal.

I think their secondary can be exploited and C.J. can consistently find the open man against Flores’ exotic blitzes. This is the type of team Tom Brady would concede running the ball and just use short passes as an extension of the run game. I think highly enough of C.J’s football IQ that I trust him to air it out 40-50 times if needed to get the win this week. Sure the Vikings pass rush will be tough to handle, but I think using short passes instead of the run game will set him up in more manageable down and distance situations.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I think this is the week to let C.J. loose. I don’t think the path to victory is to run down their throat. The questions at center and RB along with losing Brevin Jordan blocking on the edge make this suboptimal.

I think their secondary can be exploited and C.J. can consistently find the open man against Flores’ exotic blitzes. This is the type of team Tom Brady would concede running the ball and just use short passes as an extension of the run game. I think highly enough of C.J’s football IQ that I trust him to air it out 40-50 times if needed to get the win this week. Sure the Vikings pass rush will be tough to handle, but I think using short passes instead of the run game will set him up in more manageable down and distance situations.
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In order for us to let CJ loose, the offensive line will have to pass block better. The Vikings defense can and will get after the quarterback. They’re up there with us in pressure and I believe they lead the league in sacks.

I do believe he’ll carve them up for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
My philosophy is that if you’ve got two players and the projected performance is equal, you go with the younger player with more upside. Let them grow and develop, by the end of the season they are now the clear upgrade while the vet is going to maintain the same level of play regardless.
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I don't view the projected performance as equal though. I think Tytus is ahead and will maintain being ahead when he knocks the rust off.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I think this is the week to let C.J. loose. I don’t think the path to victory is to run down their throat. The questions at center and RB along with losing Brevin Jordan blocking on the edge make this suboptimal.

I think their secondary can be exploited and C.J. can consistently find the open man against Flores’ exotic blitzes. This is the type of team Tom Brady would concede running the ball and just use short passes as an extension of the run game. I think highly enough of C.J’s football IQ that I trust him to air it out 40-50 times if needed to get the win this week. Sure the Vikings pass rush will be tough to handle, but I think using short passes instead of the run game will set him up in more manageable down and distance situations.
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40-50 times.. I don't want to Tua him. You can let him loose without throwing that much, just be more aggressive in play calling. Or let him loose by giving him more control over pre-snap calls.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I think this is the week to let C.J. loose. I don’t think the path to victory is to run down their throat. The questions at center and RB along with losing Brevin Jordan blocking on the edge make this suboptimal.

I think their secondary can be exploited and C.J. can consistently find the open man against Flores’ exotic blitzes. This is the type of team Tom Brady would concede running the ball and just use short passes as an extension of the run game. I think highly enough of C.J’s football IQ that I trust him to air it out 40-50 times if needed to get the win this week. Sure the Vikings pass rush will be tough to handle, but I think using short passes instead of the run game will set him up in more manageable down and distance situations.
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I pray they do. Vikings have faced the Giants and 49ers. Yet has the 7th worse pass defense in the league so far

IMG_1146.jpeg

Vikings rushing defense is 1 spot below the Texans(7) at 8.

The only things that jumps out to me about the Vikings are their the league leaders in sacks at 11 (Texans are #2 with 9) and they have the 3rd best defense at giving up tds. I think that’s a little inflated because they played the Giants. I think they are overrated and reality will set in for them going into half time. I don’t see this being a close game
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Positional breakdown Texans @ Vikings:

RB: Advantage Vikings

Mixon is likely out this week. If he plays he wont be at his best. I like Akers but did not like the fumble last week. Hope that’s not a sign of things to come if he moves into a larger role. Aaron Jones has a knack for finding the end zone. Former British Brooks teammate Ty Chandler has 4.3 speed and ran for 82 yards on 10 carries against SF.
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I'm not sure why fans are worried about this over one fumble.

In his entire six year career, Sunday included, Akers has fumbled four times, four out of 405 total carries. So its not a thing. If anything the guy protects the ball very, very well.

Now, watch him fumble three times Sunday..... :smiliepalm:
 
One of the good thing about playing the Vikings now, is that we just saw them play "our" offensive scheme, when they took down the 49ers. Giving Slowik a week to gameplan around the Vikings defensive style, should work out in the Texans favor.
 
www.espn.com

Vikes' Jefferson 'for sure' playing against Texans

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson said Thursday that he's "for sure" playing against the Texans despite sustaining a quadriceps contusion in Week 2.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Jefferson suffered the injury while trying to block 49ers linebacker Fred Warner during a run play. On Thursday, Jefferson said he had missed his assignment and shouldn't have been anywhere near Warner.

"I was supposed to stay on the corner and pretty much run him off," Jefferson said. "I've just got to make sure I'm aware of my rules."
Sounds like 'his rules' are to avoid physical contact
Fellow receiver Jordan Addison (ankle), meanwhile, did not practice Thursday and is not expected to play against the visiting Texans.
 
Carr Bombed said:
40-50 times.. I don't want to Tua him. You can let him loose without throwing that much, just be more aggressive in play calling. Or let him loose by giving him more control over pre-snap calls.
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You can air it out intelligently. I would say more aggressive play calling would lead to the bigger hits that would “Tua” him.

Vikings will blitz, make them pay for it with screens and quick read passes. Let the skill players make plays after the catch, there’s plenty of talent to do so.
 
Don't make dumb mistakes/penalties and I won't be that worried. I am a bit worried about the run game, however. If Mixon and Pierce are out I don't really trust Akers.

They're not a bad team but it's clear over the last 20 regular season games that we're usually the ones beating ourselves. That is the biggest obstacle toward being an elite team.

Shore up the garbage. That's the biggest issue. No more Tunsil's Shitty Jumps Of The Game (tm), for example.

The rest will come.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
You can air it out intelligently. I would say more aggressive play calling would lead to the bigger hits that would “Tua” him.

Vikings will blitz, make them pay for it with screens and quick read passes. Let the skill players make plays after the catch, there’s plenty of talent to do so.
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By more aggressive, I mean passing when you're on the plus side of a 2 minute clock, there's a lot of things we can change before he has to pass for 50 times a game.
 
I’m very certain that the Vikings defense will be expecting Slowick to try and establish the run, I seriously might trot out 4 wideouts and a TE to run quick hit patterns. I believe CJ has the ability to make the quick read and throw to try and get the Vikings defense off balance or having to use an early timeout to get the right personnel on the field. My thinking is to avoid trying to force the run and winding up with 2nd and long which allows the Vikings defense to start pinning their ears back. I’d rather see Slowick having his receivers pin their ears back.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I’m very certain that the Vikings defense will be expecting Slowick to try and establish the run, I seriously might trot out 4 wideouts and a TE to run quick hit patterns. I believe CJ has the ability to make the quick read and throw to try and get the Vikings defense off balance or having to use an early timeout to get the right personnel on the field. My thinking is to avoid trying to force the run and winding up with 2nd and long which allows the Vikings defense to start pinning their ears back. I’d rather see Slowick having his receivers pin their ears back.
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That does play into the Vikes defensive back group though. They're somewhat slow but very physical. It's how Flo has operated for awhile. Create pressure and make the opponent go quick game against strong physical DBs. He throws more zero blitz than anyone although he's doing it less this season (so far).

Flo wants the opponent to go quick pass game.
 
Dejaview said:
Hope so but I thought CND speculated he would miss several games? Hope I’m wrong.
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The quote from the Texans was "if there is no setback during Friday practice."

My concern remains the same re. his adductor tear. How do you realistically test for or expect a setback when he didn't test his injury Wednesday (the only contact practice which would test the adductor against resistance). To make a final decision for playing in a game, based on a "walkthru practice" is a little strange and normally not advisable.............especially for a center who is expected to be exposed to tremendous resistance. I will hope for the best for the young man.
 
Final Injury Report

Dameon Pierce.......RB...Hamstring...OUT

Joe Mixon...........RB...Ankle.......DOUBTFUL

Jarrett Patterson...C....Calf........QUESTIONABLE
Juice Scruggs.......C....Groin.......QUESTIONABLE
M.J. Stewart........S....Knee........QUESTIONABLE
 
banned1976 said:
I lived in Duluth for 12 years (2000-2012). Superior Wisconsin on one side of the Bong Bridge and Duluth on the other. Half my friends were Vikes, the other half Packers. And the Texans still haven't beaten the Vikings and it pisses me off.
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Duluth is wonderful! So is Superior!!! The ice castle guy. Lol. I also saw the most damnedest thing ever… people racing motorcycles on a frozen Lake Superior in Superior. One of the most random and best days of my life with me and my boys.
 
NitroGSXR said:
Duluth is wonderful! So is Superior!!! The ice castle guy. Lol. I also saw the most damnedest thing ever… people racing motorcycles on a frozen Lake Superior in Superior. One of the most random and best days of my life with me and my boys.
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I worked at Cirrus Aircraft. The VP of Manufacturing was a surfer from California. I saw him on the news one night, at the beginning of winter, surfing in Lake Superior. Storms off the big lake can make some big waves.

The first year I was up there my parents visited at the beginning of summer. I took them all long the North Shore to visit all the lighthouses because my mom loves them. When we were visited Split Rock Lighthouse, the people there gave us a tour. They had the wood stove burning. It was 42 degrees in June. The wind was howling. My parents were freezing. We had planned on going up to Thunder Bay but we only got as far as Silver Bay. My folks had enough of summer on the North Shore.
 
Vikings are pretty banged up. Moreso than the Texans as concerned as we are with the losses of Mixon/possibly the centers and Brevin Jordan.

I did not expect them to be without Ivan Pace and Dallas Turner. That’s two key members of their front seven. More importantly, that’s two less members Flores has to rotate out in his varied blitzing scheme.

Scruggs looks like he’ll play this week. I doubt he’ll be 100% but i’m more confident running the ball against this defense without Pace at LB. I’d still lean on Stroud but not to the extent i’d completely concede the run game like Tom Brady when he played the Ravens.

And i’m more confident in the Texans OL’s ability to pass protect without both Pace and Turner’s availability this week.

Then we go to the pass game and their lack of Jordan Addison. No Hockenson, and Jefferson less than 100%. They are running out of targets. They’ll need to get the RBs involved in the passing game this week. I’m interested to see what coverages DeMeco cooks up to confuse Darnold.

I’m wearing those battle red glasses but its looking more like the Texans get a bonafide statement win this week on the road in their first victory in franchise history over the Minnesota Vikings!
 
Winning on the road is always tough, but these are the kind ends of games you win if you are truly a contender. We have to clean up the mistakes and miscues more than anything. Minnesota didn't blowout an already injured 49ers team, but they took advantage of their mistakes. We have to play clean football and some of the other guys need to get involved in the offense (Dell, all the tight ends, back up RBs). Defense needs to avoid chunk yardage plays down the field and penalties. Should be a good game!
 
How many points do Texans need to win this one?
Bonus question - will they get those points?!
Get ur crystal balls out guys and gals!
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Vikings are pretty banged up. Moreso than the Texans as concerned as we are with the losses of Mixon/possibly the centers and Brevin Jordan.

I did not expect them to be without Ivan Pace and Dallas Turner. That’s two key members of their front seven. More importantly, that’s two less members Flores has to rotate out in his varied blitzing scheme.

Scruggs looks like he’ll play this week. I doubt he’ll be 100% but i’m more confident running the ball against this defense without Pace at LB. I’d still lean on Stroud but not to the extent i’d completely concede the run game like Tom Brady when he played the Ravens.

And i’m more confident in the Texans OL’s ability to pass protect without both Pace and Turner’s availability this week.

Then we go to the pass game and their lack of Jordan Addison. No Hockenson, and Jefferson less than 100%. They are running out of targets. They’ll need to get the RBs involved in the passing game this week. I’m interested to see what coverages DeMeco cooks up to confuse Darnold.

I’m wearing those battle red glasses but its looking more like the Texans get a bonafide statement win this week on the road in their first victory in franchise history over the Minnesota Vikings!
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Pressure on Darnold is key in this game. He hasn't faced a lot in his first two games although 49ers weren't bad.
Light him up DR.
 
Texansphan said:
Pressure on Darnold is key in this game. He hasn't faced a lot in his first two games although 49ers weren't bad.
Light him up DR.
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Darnold is also a pretty good athlete, pressure AND confusing him with different looks IMO will revert him back into bad decision making that has plagued him in previous years.
 
Texansphan said:
How many points do Texans need to win this one?
Bonus question - will they get those points?!
Get ur crystal balls out guys and gals!
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More than the Vikings.

I have to remain in Negative Nancy mode and say "no".

The "no" really comes from the fact the Texans have not ever won against the Vikings. Now is the time to change that, but just as @ Indy was always a loss until they won @ Indy... so to will be my expectations against any team they have yet to ever beat.
 
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