The Vikings face off against the Texans in Minnesota in what’s shaping up to be one of the best games of the week.
With both teams showing flashes of massive potential, player prop bets offer a great way to make the most of key individual matchups.
We’re giving you a look at our top five prop picks you should consider ahead of this week’s matchup, focusing on players set to outperform expectations by the bookmakers.
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C.J. Stroud has shown he’s more than capable of leading the Texans' offense in his rookie campaign.
He’s already thrown for 494 yards in just two games, and this week, he’s up against a Vikings secondary that ranks near the bottom of the league. They’re currently giving up 230 passing yards per game.
With Minnesota’s defense allowing 9.2 yards per attempt (ouch), Stroud should have plenty of opportunities to air it out, especially with his knack for avoiding turnovers. The guy is a magician.
Expect Stroud to clear the 250-yard mark with his aggressive downfield passing, especially if Houston falls behind and leans on the pass to catch up.
His chemistry with targets like Nico Collins only strengthens this pick.
Speaking of Nico…
Nico Collins has quickly become one of Stroud’s favorite targets.
The young wideout is coming off an impressive game with eight catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, bringing his season total to 14 receptions for 252 yards. Minnesota’s defense has had trouble limiting wide receivers, giving up the 8th-most passing yards in the league.
Collins’ size and ability to stretch the gridiron make him a red-zone threat. Add that to the Texans’ impressive 80% red-zone efficiency, and Collins should have a solid chance to find the end zone at least once again this week.
Minnesota’s defense has struggled when it comes to limiting big plays which makes Collins a perfect pick for an anytime touchdown.
With Sam Darnold filling in for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings' passing game may not be as dynamic as it usually is.
Although Darnold has four touchdowns in two games, he faces a Texans defense that ranks third in the NFL. They’ve allowed just 166.5 passing yards per game and limited quarterbacks to only three passing touchdowns this season. That’s a solid defense.
Houston’s secondary has been stout as well, and the Vikings will likely rely more on their running game to try to control the tempo.
Darnold may find it difficult to throw for more than one touchdown, especially if the Texans' pass rush can apply consistent pressure. Bank on Houston’s defense keeping Darnold under two passing touchdowns. They might have to rely on the ground game to get some TDs on the scoreboard.
The Vikings’ rushing attack has been relatively balanced this year. However, they’ll need to rely heavily on Aaron Jones to keep Houston’s aggressive front seven honest.
Jones has racked up 126 yards in two games, averaging 63 yards per contest. Not bad, but he has shown he can do much better.
This week, he’s facing a Texans defense that has been strong against the run, but they’re not invincible and he knows that.
The Texans rank sixth in the NFL, allowing 87.5 rushing yards per game, but Jones has the vision and explosiveness to find creases in Houston’s defense.
Minnesota is likely to prioritize the run game to avoid putting too much pressure on Darnold, meaning Jones should easily see enough touches to surpass 50 yards. He gets over 50 and Darnold gets under 2 TDs. See how these work?
Justin Jefferson continues to solidify his place among the league’s elite wide receivers. Through two games, he’s averaging an impressive 96 yards per game with two touchdowns, showing why he’s the focal point of Minnesota’s passing attack.
The Vikings will need his playmaking ability more than ever against Houston’s stout pass defense.
Despite Houston ranking 10th in passing yards allowed, Jefferson’s ability to make tough catches and create separation makes him a safe bet to break the 90-yard threshold. Sure, it’s a tall order, but if anyone can do it, it’s Jefferson.
Even with Darnold under center, Jefferson's quickness and route-running are enough to create mismatches in any defense. He’s the Vikings’ best option to stretch the field, and the team will feed him the ball consistently to stay competitive.
This Vikings vs. Texans matchup offers some of the best opportunities for player prop bets this week.
C.J. Stroud looks ready to keep his hot start rolling against a somewhat weak Vikings secondary, while Nico Collins and Justin Jefferson are set to have big games on the receiving end. Expect the Texans' defense to limit Sam Darnold’s impact through the air, while Aaron Jones could quietly produce on the ground for Minnesota.
Each of these prop picks is based on current trends, matchups, and the way these teams are playing, making them solid choices for this week’s game. As always, no bet is a sure thing, but these props have a strong foundation based on how these players match up.
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