This offseason, many players were released by the Vikings and picked up by the Texans and vice versa. The main switched players were DE Danielle Hunter and OLB Jonathan Greenard. Greenard is playing at a very high level compiling 12 QB pressures and 1 sack in two games this season. Hunter, on the other hand, has a total of just six tackles, 1.5 sacks, and only two QB hits.
Another big name to watch in this matchup is Stefon Diggs. He has had a decent start to his career with the Texans, with 10 receptions and 2 TDs. However, he has only managed to gain 70 yards on those ten receptions.
Key Injuries For Both Sides
Vikings
The Vikings had several key players show up on the injury report throughout the week. Fortunately, some of the bigger names on the list were able to end the week as full participants and with no injury designation heading into the Week 3 matchup. Those that came off of the injury list were Justin Jefferson (quad), Brian O’Neill (elbow), Andrew Van Ginkel (foot), Garrett Bradbury (knee), Aaron Jones (hip), Ed Ingram (tricep), Jalen Nailor (ankle).
A few Vikings were not able to come off the list and are out for Sunday’s game. These include Jordan Addison (ankle), Ivan Pace Jr. (quad/ankle), and Dallas Turner (knee). These losses are concerning, but WR Jalen Nailor has been playing very well this season and looks to be able to help cover the loss of Addison. Dallas Turner is worrying too but they have had great production out of OLB Greenard and OLB Andrew Van Ginkel. Pace Jr., on the other hand, is the most concerning as he has been the playcaller on defense and wears the green dot on his helmet. It will be interesting to see who Flores relies on to communicate with against the Texans when the game comes around.
Texans
The Texans also have a few key players on their injury report. Most of the players were able to get off the list or ended the week with a questionable status for the matchup vs. the Vikings.
These players include S M.J. Stewart (knee, questionable), OL Juice Scruggs (groin, questionable), TE Dalton Schultz (ankle, unknown), DT Folurunso Fatukasi (shoulder, unknown), WR Nico Collins (hip, unknown), CB Kris Boyd (hip,unknown), CB Kamari Lassiter (elbow, unknown), C Jarrett Patterson (calf, questionable).
The Texans most likely will be down to their 3rd string RB as RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring, out) and RB Joe Mixon (ankle, doubtful).
Week 3 Game Preview
Homecoming
The Vikings vs. Texans game will be a homecoming of sorts for several former Vikings that now don the Texans deep steel blue and battle red. The two biggest names are WR Stefon Diggs and DE Danielle Hunter.
The former wore out his welcome in Minnesota by complaining about how many passes were thrown his way and ultimately became a toxic influence in the locker room.
The latter was let go as he had struggled with injuries over the past couple of seasons. The Vikings did not feel comfortable investing a significant amount of money in him as there were many holes to fill on both sides of the ball.
Matchup
The Vikings and Texans both come into this week 3 matchup with records of 2-0. They have largely come to these records with the same recipe for success as well. They get after the opposing QB and force him to rush his decisions while their offenses lean slightly towards the pass but can get the job done on the ground as well.
With the Texans missing their top two RBs it seems that they will most likely rely on their passing game a bit more in this matchup. This should excite Brian Flores and Vikings fans alike as the Vikings have had the league’s second best sack-rate at 14.1%.
All in all this is an exciting matchup that could be decided by whoever is the last team with possession of the ball. Both of these defenses can shut down opposing offenses but both of these offenses have proved to be more than capable of putting points on the board as well.
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