Texans Daily

3 Things to Watch for Texans vs. Vikings

The Houston Texans face off against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are three things to watch.

Jeremy Brener

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) make a reception during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) make a reception during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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The Houston Texans are hoping to stay hot and undefeated as they take on the Minnesota Vikings in their Week 3 matchup.

Here's a look at three things to watch going into a matchup between the undefeateds:

READ MORE: Texans TE Out for Season, RB Questionable for Vikings Game

What Will Running Game Look Like?

The Houston Texans have been a ground-and-pound team throughout the season, mainly with Joe Mixon leading the way. However, Mixon has missed practice this week, which forces the Texans to go in a different direction.

Dameon Pierce has also been banged up at the start of the season, which could prompt the Texans to give Cam Akers some more carries.

Akers looked strong in the preseason, so there is hope that he can emulate that in the regular season against his former team.

Can Nico Collins Stay Hot?

Nico Collins leads the NFL in receiving through two weeks, and has looked like one of the best wideouts in the league.

His 252 yards sails over his peers and he has looked unstoppable in the first two games. The Vikings represent a new challenge for Collins with former All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore likely to draw his assignment.

If Collins can figure out a way to perform well against the Vikings and keep the NFL lead in yards, the Texans will have a much better chance at winning the game.

How Will Texans Stop Justin Jefferson?

The Texans secondary will face one of their biggest challenges of the season when they line up against Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson tomorrow.

Jefferson has been arguably the best receiver since he entered the league in 2020, and he has adjusted well to his new quarterback in Sam Darnold.

Jefferson broke open the Niners defense last week, catching and running for a 97-yard touchdown, the longest in the league this season. The Texans have been susceptible to giving up big plays. Against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, the Texans surrendered two touchdowns from over 50 yards out, so the team needs to ensure they don't fall on past mistakes and give up huge chunk plays to Jefferson or anyone else on the offense.

READ MORE: Texans Preparing for 'Versatile' Vikings Defense

Stick with TexansGameday for more coverage of the Houston Texans throughout the season. 

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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