Texans tumble to 0-4 after tough loss to Vikings

Photo courtesy of David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Everything was set up for the Texans to win today.

Despite being 0-3 heading into Week 4's bout with Minnesota, Houston seemed to have plenty going for them. Despite coming off a brutal stretch of football that saw the Texans face three of the AFC's best teams, Houston had performed at least somewhat admirably in those three games. In their last game against Pittsburgh, the offense put together one of the best halfs in recent memory and seemed to be able to get in at least some kind of groove. The defense wasn't abhorrently bad either, despite the final score.

Additionally, the visiting Minnesota Vikings -- also 0-3 prior to today's game -- weren't nearly as imposing as their previous opponents. Their once-heralded defense was fifth-worst in the league in passing yards allowed, eighth-worst in rushing yards allowed, and had only two turnovers on the season. Their offense wasn't very inspiring either; despite Dalvin Cook's talent on the ground, the Vikings had only managed 623 passing yards through three games, third-worst in the league.

What played an equally large role was what the Vikings had to go through prior to the game even beginning. Minnesota's previous opponent, the Tennessee Titans, were revealed to have a slew of players and personnel test positive for COVID-19, forcing the Vikings to have to extensively test their staff for potential outbreaks, which may have forced the game to be potentially postponed. There were no positive cases, thankfully, but the Vikings were forced to sacrifice any chance at padded practices before their showdown with Houston.

Everything was set up for the Texans to get their first win of the season. Instead, Minnesota gutted Houston en route to a 31-23 win, their first of the season, while sending the hapless Texans stumbling to their first 0-4 start since 2008.

The start of the game was predictable. After a quick three-and-out on their opening drive, and another one on their next drive, the Vikings scored on a Dalvin Cook touchdown run from five yards out. The Texans picked up their first first down of the game with four minutes left in the first quarter, but were again forced to punt.

Whether Houston may or may not have been able to find their offense in the first quarter after their first three drives were botched by poor play-calling and inefficient play, the world would never know. DeAndre Carter botched a punt return that was subsequently recovered by the Vikings in Houston territory, which led to a Vikings field goal.

Later, in the second quarter, another Dalvin Cook touchdown that featured pathetic tackling from recently-paid linebacker Zach Cunningham put Minnesota up 17-3. Houston would manage one more field goal, courtesy of Ka'imi Fairbairn, before the second quarter ended, putting the halftime tally at 17-6.

It was the second straight half that saw the Texans fail to score a touchdown, dating back to last week's game in Pittsburgh. Deshaun Watson was 5-14 with a mere 53 yards passing in the opening half. The Texans, who opened NRG Stadium to fans for the first time, heard the first boos of the young season as Houston ran to the locker room.

Houston seemed to turn things around in the beginning of the third quarter, however, as a touchdown and field goal on their first two drives of the second half cut the deficit to 17-16. Watson was able to find a wide open Will Fuller V for the first touchdown of the day.

But it was the defense that crumbled in the second half this week, giving up back-to-back touchdown drives to the Vikings that saw Minnesota push their lead to 31-16 early in the fourth quarter. The Texans, however, battled back, scoring a clutch touchdown on fourth down and long Watson pass to Kenny Stills in the end zone, before driving late in the fourth quarter to put themselves at 1st and Goal from the Vikings' four-yard line.

It was another depressing end, however. David Johnson failed to score on three straight rush attempts, before a near-catch by Will Fuller V in the end zone on fourth down was overruled after review, sealing the team's fourth straight loss.

Houston let Kirk Cousins throw for 260 yards on the day, his highest total of the season thus far. He also recorded his highest passer rating of the year at 127.1. Dalvin Cook torched Houston's non-existent run defense for 130 yards on 27 carries. Two Minnesota receivers recorded 100+ yard reception days -- crafty wideout Adam Thielen and first-year rookie Justin Jefferson.

Deshaun Watson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

Houston will attempt to earn their first win of the year in their first division game of the season, at home against the 1-3 Jacksonville Jaguars.