Minnesota Vikings predictions: Week 4 at Texans

After losses to Green Bay and Indianapolis and Tennessee, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in unfamiliar territory in the Mike Zimmer era — 0-3 and in the cellar of the NFC North.

It’s absurd to say Minnesota’s season is on the line in Week 4, but then again, only the 1992 San Diego Chargers have started a season 0-4 and made the playoffs.

Minnesota will take on another team looking for its first win in Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans, who lost to three of the top AFC teams – Kansas City, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

Something has to give.

Here’s this week’s Vikings predictions from around the web:

Barry Wilner of the Associated Press: Texans 26, Vikings 16.  “Houston has lost three games against quality teams. Can’t say the same for Minnesota.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Texans 34, Vikings 21. “This is a game matching two 0-3 teams, but one has looked far worse than the other. That’s the Vikings. Last time out on the road they were dominated by the Colts. The Texans have played a brutal schedule, and they will take it out on the Vikings.”

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Texans 27, Vikings 24. “After starting the season against a murderer’s row of opponents (at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Steelers), Watson should enter this matchup feeling like he just shook that heavy donut off the baseball bat — the QB will be able to swing freely again.”

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times: Texans 24, Vikings 21. “Teams are putting heavy pressure on Deshaun Watson, and the Texans quarterback is hanging on to the ball a long time. But can the Vikings and their lukewarm defense take advantage?”

John Breech of CBSSports.com: Texans 34, Vikings 27. “No matter what happens in this game, which is being played between two teams that made the playoffs last year, I think we can go ahead and safely assume that the loser definitely won’t be returning to the playoffs. Sorry Vikings, but my guess here is that you’re going to be the team that won’t be returning to the postseason.”

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com: Texans win. “I can see the Texans starting 0-3 based 1) on the opponents they’ve faced and 2) the fact that they did this same thing two years ago. Deshaun Watson will always keep you in playoff contention, and I think the Vikings woes continue this week.”

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Vikings 27, Texans 24. “The Vikings and Texans have both started 0-3 following their 2019 playoff runs, with Houston coach Bill O’Brien feeling more heat than Minnesota’s Mike Zimmer. The Texans’ run defense is the real concern here against Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Their offense is not as dangerous around Deshaun Watson as the Vikings’ offense is around Kirk Cousins as both Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson are tough covers. Look for Cook to make the game script unrelentingly positive for Minnesota, which this time will hold a lead late.”

Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Texans 28, Vikings 24. “A pair of preseason playoff contenders are trying to hold off a 0-4 start. Houston wasn’t given any breaks by the schedule makers, but the Vikings have not inspired much confidence against AFC South teams the last two weeks. How much heat will Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins feel after another loss?”

The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: Texans 28, Vikings 24. Full disclosure about this unlikely Winless Bowl. I changed my mind on this pick. Talked myself out of my gut feeling. I’m superstitious about doing that, so I rarely do. But I did here. Hunched an upset by Minnesota but couldn’t justify it. Kirk Cousins has been really bad, and Vikes’ D has hugely disappointed. Still like Purples to cover. But if they win outright, the sound you here will be me screaming, “Nooooo!”

Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Texans 27, Vikings 26.

Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski: Texans.

Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio: MDS – Texans 27, Vikings 20. Florio – Texans 34, Vikings 27.

Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman: Texans 33, Vikings 24. “Who saw both of these teams at 0-3? The Texans are winless mostly because of the schedule. Minnesota has no such excuse. The Vikes have given up 102 points in three games.”

Five of six analysts at SI.com pick the Texans to win.

All seven of the USA Today writers pick the Texans to win.

All three writers at Athlon Sports predict a Texans victory.

Just one of 10 SB Nation writers predict a Vikings victory.

Five of seven PennLive.com writers pick the Texans.