5 wild predictions: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings

Sam Bradford extends turnover-free streak

Through three starts, quarterback Sam Bradford has protected the ball incredibly well, managing to avoid even a single fumble or interception. As one of only three quarterbacks in the league with at least three starts to accomplish this, Bradford is part of a very select group.

Going up against the Houston Texans’ first-ranked passing defense, the deck seems stacked against Bradford to continue this streak. The Texans have allowed only 162.5 passing yards per game so far this year, so the Vikings certainly appear to have their work cut out for them this week.

However, several factors suggest that Bradford will be able to keep his streak alive this week.

First of all, the Minnesota Vikings will likely heavily prioritize the running game in this week’s gameplan, likely opting for a more conservative passing attack. With star receiver Stefon Diggs listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, the Vikings receiving corps is thin, making a run-heavy attack more likely. Additionally, while the Texans rank first against the pass, they have been among the worst in the league against the run this year, ranking 27th with 125.3 rushing yards per game allowed.

On top of the likelihood that the Vikings will prioritize the run, Sam Bradford’s increasing experience in the offensive scheme should help him stay safe with the ball. Bradford has looked very comfortable in the offense so far, and every week only lets him get more and more accustomed to the scheme.

Bradford won’t stay perfect for the entire year, but I expect him to remain turnover-free for at least one more game.