Vikings vs. Texans Week 4 Prediction
Two teams that have yet to win a game to start the season will meet in Houston on Sunday when the Texans host the Vikings at 1:00 p.m. ET. With the host laying 3.5 points, what’s the best play on the board for bettors?
Game Snapshot
261 Minnesota Vikings (+3.5) at 262 Houston Texans (-3.5); o/u 53.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 4, 2020
NFL Week 4, Regular Season
Minnesota Vikings DFS Spin
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski said the Vikings’ only chance to win games this season would be an aggressive pass-first offense. Head coach Mike Zimmer can no longer “rely on ball control, tough defense and discipline to win games.” The Vikings, with a beat up and inexperienced defense, have to “let it fly” rather than “ground and pound,” as they have in recent seasons, Krawczynski said. The emergence of rookie WR Justin Jefferson — who caught seven balls for 175 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 — could make the transition easier for Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense. In the lead up to the team’s Week 3 game against the Titans, Zimmer was still, somehow, emphasizing the importance of establishing the run to get the offense on track. Count us skeptical that old-school Zimmer is going to endorse a more open, pass-heavy offense
Houston Texans DFS Spin
Deshaun Watson completed 19-of-27 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Houston’s 28-21 Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh. The Steelers, which were the league’s blitz-heaviest team entering Week 3, only rushed four men throughout the game, allowing Watson to bide time and pick apart the middle of the team’s secondary with splash plays to Randall Cobb (4/95/1), Brandin Cooks (3/23) and David Johnson (2/23). The Texans exceeded expectations in the first half, taking a 21-17 lead into the intermission, but ultimately went three-and-out on 3-of-4 second-half possessions, falling short to the Steelers’ 11-0 run to close the game. Watson hasn’t been spectacular through three games, but Houston’s schedule finally provides some relief in Week 4 against the Vikings after a hellacious on-paper slate to open the year. He’ll be an inarguable QB1 in that matchup.
Vikings vs. Texans Betting Prediction
The Vikings have covered in the last four meetings between these two teams and are 8-2-1 against the number in their last 11 games played in October. Minnesota has covered in five of its last six games after allowing more than 30 points in its previous game as well. Meanwhile, the Texans have failed to cover in eight of their last 11 home games, are just 2-6-1 against the number in their last nine games as a favorite and are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
NFL WEEK 4 BETTING PREDICTION: MINNESOTA VIKINGS +3.5
