The Minnesota Vikings have gotten off to a surprising start this season, but this Sunday could be their biggest test of the year when they face the Houston Texans.
The Texans and Vikings come into Week 3 with undefeated records, and while it’s early in the season, it could be a matchup of two teams that could be contenders in their respective conferences.
The Vikings passed one litmus test when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers last week but the Texans bring their own challenges. With revenge games everywhere, Sunday’s game should be entertaining and here are three bold predictions that could determine whether Minnesota can remain undefeated in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings predictions for Week 3 vs. the Houston Texans
1. Stefon Diggs’ revenge narrative will be overblown
The biggest storyline for Vikings fans will be Diggs’ return to Minnesota. After spending five seasons with the Vikings, Diggs ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
Still, most fans remember him for catching Case Keenum’s pass in the “Minneapolis Miracle” play during a 2017 win in the divisional round against the New Orleans Saints.
Of course, Diggs didn’t see eye-to-eye with Mike Zimmer in his final two years in Minnesota and wound up forcing a trade to the Buffalo Bills.
Diggs reintroduced himself to the Vikings by catching 12 passes for 128 yards in the Vikings 33-30 overtime victory in Buffalo in 2022, and many wonder how good of a reception he’ll get returning to U.S. Bank Stadium.
But outside of any tribute videos the Vikings may play, it’s unlikely Diggs will become the main storyline in the actual game.
Nico Collins has not only emerged as the Texans’ top target but one of the best receivers in the league with 252 yards in his first two games and the presence of Tank Dell has distributed targets throughout the Houston offense.
Brevin Jordan’s torn ACL and Joe Mixon’s pending ankle injury could also give Diggs more targets but it may not matter going up against Brian Flores’s defense.
C.J. Stroud has been given ample time to throw with a 32.3 percent pressure rate this season, and the additions of Stephon Gillmore and Shaquil Griffin have paid off on the back end.
Diggs will probably have some extra motivation in this game but it’s unlikely he’ll take over, leaving the revenge game narrative something to be shared on social media.
2. The Vikings will trail for the first time this season
Remember that scene in "Rocky IV" where Rocky Balboa makes Ivan Drago bleed? Well, the Vikings have been Drago in 2024, as they haven’t trailed in either of their two games.
This wasn’t surprising when the Vikings took on an overmatched New York Giants team in Week 1, but it raised some eyebrows when Minnesota did it to the 49ers in Week 2.
A decisively more physical team in the first two weeks, the Vikings have been able to jump out to an early lead and ride their running game and defense to victory.
But like when Drago started bleeding in the fight of the century, the Vikings still have to show how they respond in the same situation.
This is a very good Texans team that could jump out to an early lead on the Vikings. If Stroud and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik find a way to crack the Vikings' defense, it could be on Sam Darnold to lead them back.
That could be a less-than-ideal situation with Darnold’s history of playing hero ball during his time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. But it could be another litmus test of whether the Vikings are contenders or just a pleasant surprise through two weeks.
3. Will Reichard will kick a game-winning field goal
Both of the Vikings' first two games were comfortable victories. In fact, maybe they were a little too comfortable. Just by Minnesota’s law of averages, the Vikings should have a game that comes down to the wire, and the Texans could be the team that brings it.
DeMeco Ryans’ defense is good enough to slow down a Vikings offense that is predicated on running the ball and getting it to Justin Jefferson. Houston’s offense is good enough to keep things moving even without Dameon Pierce and Joe Mixon in the running game.
In many ways, this could be an encore of last week’s game against the 49ers, which could make Will Reichard the focal point.
Reichard hasn’t had a high-leverage field goal attempt in his professional career but making all of his kicks is enough to clear the low bar Vikings fans have for their specialists.
The NFL’s new kickoff rules, which moved the touchback from the 25-yard line to the 30-yard line, have also played a role as an NFL-record 73 field goals were kicked in Week 3.
With less ground needed for a game-winning score and a kicker that can hit from over 50 yards, Reichard could have the game on his leg late in Sunday’s game.
After Vikings edge rusher and former Alabama teammate Dallas Turner said he trusted Reichard with his life, Sunday could be his first opportunity to show it and kick the Vikings to 3-0.
Prediction: Vikings win 23-20