Two teams enter, one team leaves
After week 1, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. After week 2, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
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Fairbairn converted all four of his field goal attempts in the Texan’s 19-13 victory over the Bears on Sunday Night Football, including three from over 50 yards, becoming the first player all-time with multiple career games of three-or-more 50-yard field goals made.
This is the third-career Special Teams Player of the Week Award for Fairbairn, tying Kris Brown for the most-ever by a Houston kicker.
2018: Week 15
2023: Week 15
2024: Week 2
Fairbairn becomes the first former UCLA kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week three times since 2000.
Does that mean a Texans defender will get AFC honors this week? Could it be Danielle Hunter? Kamari Lassiter? Henry To’o To’o? Could we get so lucky?
Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings Fanduel Odds
Going into Week 3, the fine folks at Fanduel have the best team in Texas sitting in a -2.5 point hole against the Minnesota Vikings. Since the home team generally gets a 2.5 point bump, that means the Texans are looking at a -5 point differential.
While the Texans covered last week’s spread against the Chicago Bears, they’re going to have to play a darn sight better to take out the hard charging 2-0 Vikings. Heading into this weekend, Houston has never defeated the Vikings in the regular season, with Minnesota sitting at 5-0 all time vs the Texans.
However, the Vikings have never faced C.J. Stroud, Demeco Ryans and the rest of the ‘24 H-Town crew.
The obvious storyline on this one is the “return home” for Texans wideout Stefon Diggs and all-pro defensive lineman Hunter.
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WR STEFON DIGGS aims for his 10th in row with 4+ catches. Had 12 catches for 128 yards in only career game vs. Min. (11/13/22 w/ Buf.). Will be playing 1st game in Min. since spending 1st 5 seasons of career with Vikings (2015-19).
DE DANIELLE HUNTER had 5 tackles, 2 TFL & 1.5 sacks last week. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. Ranks 3rd in Min. franchise history with 87.5 career sacks over 8 seasons with team (2015-23).
For those who don’t remember, the Vikings have former Texans Blake Cashman now and he’s continuing to excel for the Purple and Gold.
LB BLAKE CASHMAN led team with 13 tackles & career-high 3 PD & had 1st sack of season last week. Had career-high 104 tackles with Hou. in 2023.
The real story is going to be the passing game. Can Stroud and Nico Collins out perform Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson? Can Derek Stingley Jr. and the rest of the Texans secondary slow down Jefferson?
QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 268 yards & had 2 TDs vs. INT for 109.1 rating in Week 2. Is 1 of 2 (Derek Carr) with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in each of 1st 2 weeks. Passed for 304 yards & had 2 rush TDs in his last game vs. Hou. (9/23/21 w/ Car.).
• WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 133 rec. yards & TD catch last week, his 30th- career 100-yard game, tied with HOFer Randy Moss for most by player in 1st 5 seasons all-time. Became youngest player ever to 400 receptions & 3rd- youngest player all-time to 6,000 rec. yards. Aims for his 4th in row with TD catch. Had 103 rec. yards in last meeting.
Can any of the Vikings corners even think about putting the brakes on Collins?
QB C.J. STROUD completed 23 of 36 atts. (63.9 pct.) for 260 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 94.7 rating last week. Has 13 TDs (12 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 105.6 rating in his past 9 starts, incl. playoffs. Aims for his 3rd in row on road in reg. season with 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 115+ rating. Is 1 of 3 in NFL (Josh Allen & Kyler Murray) with 100+ rating (104.7) & 0 INTs this season.
WR NICO COLLINS had 8 catches for 135 yards & TD last week & is only player in NFL with 100+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Aims for his 4th in row in reg. season with 6+ catches & 115+ rec. yards. Leads NFL with 252 rec. yards in 2024.
This game can go either way. In the end a bad ref call, unexpected injury or other freak occurrence will likely determine the outcome.
Since we can’t see the future, let’s look to the past. Demeco Ryans has this Texans team overcoming adversity, fighting back against all odds and finding ways to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The Vikings, on the other hand, are often prone to underachieving once they land in the favored seat.
My gut tells me Houston loses a nail biter, but the analytical part of my brain says they win.
Time to homer then and call it:
Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings prediction:
Houston Texans 26
Minnesota Vikings 24
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