Vikings vs. Texans Odds: Point Spread, Total & Prediction

vikings texans odds line point spread total over under pick prediction

Sam Bradford hands the ball off to Jerick McKinnon in Minnesota’s Week 4 win over the Giants. (Getty)

The unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (4-0) are back at U.S. Bank Stadium when they host the 3-1 Houston Texans in Week 5 of the NFL season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern and the game will be televised by CBS.

Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction of the Week 5 game:


Vikings vs. Texans Week 5 Betting Info

Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of October 8

Spread: Vikings (-6.5)

Betting Percentages: 61 percent for Vikings (-6.5)

Over/Under: 41

Betting Percentages: 62 percent on Under 41

Season Results: Vikings: 4-0 Straight Up; 4-0 Against the Spread; Under 3-1 — Texans: 3-1 Straight Up; 3-1 Against the Spread; Under 3-1


Prediction

The Vikings and Texans are proving you don’t need an explosive offense to have success in the NFL. It has been mostly defense which has carried Minnesota to a 4-0 start and Houston to 3-1.

The Vikings are allowing just 12.5 points per game, second-best in the league. The Texans are 8th in that department at 18.3 PPG. Both also rank in the top 10 in yards allowed.

And the oddsmakers have taken notice as the over/under is hovering at 40.

So how will this game play out?

Minnesota’s defense has been amazing lately, shutting down Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Eli Manning over the past 3 games. Brock Osweiler is not in their category, but he has weapons in WRs DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Will Fuller V. The Vikes secondary vs. the Texans receivers will be a fun matchup to watch. Over the past 2 weeks, the Vikings held Kelvin Benjamin of the Panthers without a catch, then Odell Beckham Jr. just 3 for 23 yards. But the Vikings pass rush can get some credit for that, too. They get after the quarterback (15 sacks) and will force Osweiler into a few mistakes. He’s already thrown 6 interceptions and Minnesota has a league-high 11 takeaways.

Minnesota also boasts a top 10 rush defense with a stout front 7. Texans running back Lamar Miller hasn’t rushed for less than 80 yards in a game, but also has yet to find the endzone. Getting a running game going is a must for Houston.

Sam Bradford has been efficient — and unlike Osweiler, mistake free — under center for the Vikings. He’s developed a strong rapport with wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph, but the Vikings will likely be without Diggs (groin). Adam Thielen, Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson will be busier if Diggs is out. Either way, passing will be tough against the Texans, who have allowed just 1 TD pass and are holding opposing QBs to a league-low 52.6 completion percentage.

So now we come to the Vikings’ rushing offense vs. the Texans’ rush D. On paper, Minnesota has the worst ground game in the NFL, going for just 64 yards per game. A closer inspection shows they have faced 3 of the top 10 rush defenses in the league, though. And they might have turned the corner last week when Jerick McKinnon ran for 85 yards and a TD on 18 carries. This is one aspect of the Texans’ defense which can be exploited. They allow 125.3 yards per game on 4.6 on each tote. But the Vikings will be without starting right tackle Andre Smith, who could end up on the IR with an elbow injury. Jeremiah Sirles will start in his place.

This has all the makings of a low-scoring, close game. And close games are usually won by the team that makes fewer mistakes. I see the Vikings forcing Osweiler into a couple of turnovers and getting another solid outing from McKinnon and the rest of the Vikings backs. Minnesota takes advantage of the home field, overcomes its injuries and goes to 5-0.

The Pick: Vikings 20-16 (Vikings win straight up; Texans cover the spread; Under wins)