Vikings-Texans Week 3 Score Predictions from the Vikings On SI Team

After their impressive win over the 49ers last Sunday, things aren't going to get any easier for the Vikings in Week 3. They face another tough challenge against the Texans in what should be a tough battle between 2-0 teams. With CJ Stroud, Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter and so many other talented players, this Houston team will be tough to beat.

The same can be said about the Vikings, who easily defeated the Giants in Week 1 and then came within one fumble of a multi-point victory over the mighty 49ers. Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores have taken this team to a very high level, with Sam Darnold being efficient on offense and the defense causing all sorts of problems for opponents.

The Texans have narrow wins over the Colts and Bears so far this season, but enter this game as 2-point favorites against the Vikings. An AFC franchise that entered the NFL as an expansion team in 2002, they are still looking for their first-ever win over Minnesota (0-5 overall).

Who will make it 3-0 this Sunday at US Bank Stadium? We have given our tips.

I'll keep betting on O'Connell and Flores and the impressive roster the Vikings have assembled. Darnold's solid performance seems viable to me, even against a Texans defense with plenty of talent at all three levels. I expect another big game from Justin Jefferson, the best wide receiver in the world. Stroud and the Texans will score some points against Flores and this outstanding Vikings defense, but they'll also lose the ball a time or two and be limited to field goals on some dangerous drives. The fact that the game is in Minneapolis makes all the difference here. The Vikes are off to a 3-0 start.

There are plenty of opportunities for a rematch between the Vikings and Texans on Sunday. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, players like Diggs and Hunter will be more successful in the rematch. Houston's offense is legit, as Stroud has shown progress in his incredible rookie year. The Vikings defense, which has impressed early on, will have its hands full trying to slow down all of the Texans' weapons, while the Vikings offense could struggle to protect Darnold.

No Texans weapon should scare the Vikings more than Nico Collins, who leads the league in receiving yards and has made spectacular catches over the past two weeks. He's the main reason I believe Houston will hold its own against Minnesota in what I expect to be a shootout. Houston scored on six of nine possessions before running out the clock against Indy, and then on four of five first-half drives against the Bears before falling apart in the second half. I think the first six quarters represent who they are better than the last two. That being said, the Vikings are playing at home, and Sam Darnold could play a whole game with Justin Jefferson. Give me the Purple by a whisker in a thriller.

The Texans looked like one of the most complete teams in the NFL with sophomore quarterback CJ Stroud. I think Sunday's game will be close, but the Vikings' early-season momentum ended with a loss in Week 3. Minnesota will have no answer for Houston's talented pass-catchers in Stefon Diggs' return to U.S. Bank Stadium.

With an impressive win over the 49ers in Week 2, the Vikings proved that Week 1 was no fluke. Still, beating two opponents in back-to-back weeks seems like a tall order.

Here are Last week’s predictions. Season records of our pickers:

Will: 2-0
Joe: 2:0
Nolan: 1-1
Jonathan: 1-1
Tonya: 0-2