Despite a unique past few days, Sunday's game between the Vikings and Texans is still on as scheduled.
That means that one of those two teams will likely get their first win — assuming there's not a tie — while the other remains winless in 2020.
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:
Texans 27, Vikings 24 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
Deshaun Watson finally gets to face a pass rush unable to blitz his offense into submission. The Vikings improvements in a tight loss last week were modest — especially in the secondary and in the middle of both of their lines. The Texans have similar pass-rush and protection issues, but only one of these teams has Watson. He played an excellent game in Pittsburgh this past Sunday before a fourth-quarter pick. After starting the season against a murderer's row of opponents (at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Steelers), Watson should enter this matchup feeling like he just shook that heavy donut off the baseball bat — the QB will be able to swing freely again.
Texans 34, Vikings 21 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
This is a game matching two 0-3 teams, but one has looked far worse than the other. That's the Vikings. Last time out on the road they were dominated by the Colts. The Texans have played a brutal schedule, and they will take it out on the Vikings.
Vikings 27, Texans 24 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Let's try again with this still-winless team from the NFC North against another AFC South opponent. The Vikings and Texans have both started 0-3 following their 2019 playoff runs, with Houston coach Bill O'Brien feeling more heat than Minnesota's Mike Zimmer. The Texans run defense is the real concern here against Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Their offense is not as dangerous around Deshaun Watson as the Vikings offense is around Kirk Cousins, as both Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson are tough covers. Look for Cook to make the game script unrelentingly positive for Minnesota, which this time will hold a lead late.
Texans 27, Vikings 20 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk
Both of these teams had playoff aspirations and are now 0-3, but I trust Deshaun Watson to get things turned around more than I trust Kirk Cousins.
Texans 34, Vikings 27 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
It's the Something's Gotta Give Bowl. Do the Texans have the offense to outpace an improving Minnesota attack? Maybe not, but I refuse to pick the Vikings until they show they can win a game.
Texans 30, Vikings 21 — Staff, Bleacher Report
One of six experts predicts Minnesota
The Vikings truly have been a different level of bad. The pass defense has often been embarrassing, and quarterback Kirk Cousins has seemingly regressed without Stefon Diggs.
It's a lot easier to believe in Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt and a slightly healthier Texans team right now.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 47% — FiveThirtyEight.com
1 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, CBS Sports
0 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, USA TODAY Sports
1 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
2 of 10 experts pick the Vikings, ESPN
