4 keys to victory for the Vikings at the Texans in Week 4

Find a solution to the cornerback problem

The Texans might not have the potent weapons in the passing game of years gone by, but they will still fancy their chances of making the most out of a Minnesota Vikings’ secondary that has been nothing short of woeful so far.

It’s not easy to watch at the moment, especially when one considers how well Xavier Rhodes is playing during his second chance at the Indianapolis Colts. Minnesota will once again be without the services of No. 1 option Mike Hughes through injury, and it has come to the point where cutting their losses with their former first-round pick due to his lack of ability to stay healthy is an option well worth considering.

The Vikings will have Cameron Dantzler back this weekend, but putting too much on the rookie’s shoulders during his first game back could do more harm than good. The organization has high hopes for the player in the coming years but making a smooth transition to the next level doesn’t happen overnight.

This also applies to Jeff Gladney, who has been through his struggles during the early stages of the campaign. There is a lot to like about the skills he brings to the table, but rookie cornerbacks normally come with some growing pains.

Holton Hill’s poor play has been a real disappointment. The player had some making up to do after missing a large portion of 2019 after violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, but his inability to make the necessary adjustments is costing the team in critical situations.

If the Vikings do not come up with a solution to this problem, then it could very well be another long afternoon.