Vikings vs. Texans, Week 4: How to watch, what to watch

The Minnesota Vikings and the Houston Texans could both really use a win right about now. They will have to fight each other to obtain it Sunday. Minnesota looked like it would get in the win column in Week 3 as it held a 24-12 second-half lead over the Tennessee Titans. But those hopes were washed away as Tennessee outscored the Vikings 19-6 over the final 20 minutes and prevailed, 31-30.

The Texans have run a gauntlet through the first three weeks, facing off against Kansas City, Baltimore and Pittsburgh respectively. The level of desperation Sunday between these 0-3 squads will be sky-high.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Channel: FOX
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Vikings: 13th vs. Pass, 23rd vs. Rush
Texans: 19th vs. Pass, 24th vs. Rush

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Vikings: +4, 165
Texans: -4, -190
Total: 53.5

Injury report

Vikings

OUT: CB Mike Hughes (neck)

DOUBTFUL: CB Kris Boyd (hamstring)

Texans

QUESTIONABLE: RB Cullen Gillaspia (hamstring), LB Peter Kalambayi (hamstring)

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Vikings

Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, $5,200

The first-round rookie was one of Week 3’s big surprises as he exploded for seven catches, 175 yards and a long TD. Not bad for someone who had a 5-70-0 line through two weeks. Betting on Jefferson to do it again means betting on Kirk Cousins, which is a very risky proposition. But after seeing just six targets in those first two weeks, Jefferson proved himself on nine targets last week. He should at least be a more consistent threat in this offense in the weeks ahead.

Dalvin Cook, Running Back, $7,600

You know what to do with Cook in season-long leagues, but this matchup makes it absolutely worthwhile to pay up for him in DFS. The Texans have been shredded by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and James Conner as each put up more than 19 fantasy points. In Week 2, the Ravens’ triumvirate of running backs gained more than 200 yards on the ground versus Houston. Cook is no stranger to registering big box scores — he just crushed the Titans for 199 total yards — and this is another smash spot.

Texans

Will Fuller V, Wide Receiver, $5,900

Although the Titans didn’t throw for any touchdowns against the Vikings, their wide receivers still racked up more than 230 yards as this remains a very favorable matchup. Fuller caught a touchdown Sunday in Pittsburgh, and as long as he’s healthy, a big play or two from him is always viable. As of this moment, Fuller is healthy, so he looks like a strong WR3 in Week 4.

Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, $4,800

Let’s double up on Texans wideouts and talk about their slot man. He turned his four targets on Sunday into 95 yards and a touchdown. While that yards-per-catch average is not repeatable for Cobb, he is a high-floor choice at a cheap DFS price. He will match up with Vikings slot cornerback Mike Hughes, who has been thoroughly average in coverage thus far.