Texans vs. Vikings: 3 Key matchups for Week 4

2. Dalvin Cook vs. Houston rush defense

In three games this season, the defense of the Houston Texans has allowed 565 rushing yards on 109 carries, for an average of 5.2 yards per carry. Houston’s defense also has allowed three rushing touchdowns this season, so an average of one per game isn’t horrible in that aspect. The issue for the defense is they have been on the field way too much this season, and that cannot happen in Week 4, or it will result in a start of 0-4.

One of the main reasons the Houston Texans defense needs to stay off the field is the fact the Minnesota Vikings have Dalvin Cook, and the word on the street is… he’s one of the very best running backs in all of the NFL.

Cook this season has 294 yards rushing on 48 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and he’s averaging 98 yards per game. Add that with his four rushing touchdowns this season, and that means the Houston Texans have a tough task ahead of them when facing Cook in Week 4.

It is tough to say what will happen with this matchup because the Vikings’ offensive line is apparently making the blocks for their star running back. If the defense of the Houston Texans is forced to be on the field as much as they have in the first three games this season, it is going to be another tough outing, with some of that blame going elsewhere on the team.

The way the Texans win this battle is by not only playing hard and forcing some three-and-outs, but the offense of the Texans needs to maintain drives to give the defense more breaks in action, and that also keeps Cook off the the field as much as possible.