This article is part of “The Worksheet” from Rich Hribar, one of the fantasy industry’s most-read early week articles that provides unique statistics and expectations on every player for every game. Portions of “The Worksheet” will appear on RotoViz every week throughout the 2020 season. Read the full article at Sharp Football Analysis.
Vikings at Texans
| Minnesota | Rank | @ | Houston | Rank |
| 3.5 | Spread | -3.5 | ||
| 25.25 | Implied Total | 28.75 | ||
| 25.0 | 18 | Points/Gm | 19.0 | 28 |
| 34.0 | 31 | Points All./Gm | 31.7 | 29 |
| 52.7 | 32 | Plays/Gm | 54.0 | 31 |
| 72.0 | 30 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 69.3 | 26 |
| 46.2% | 9 | Rush% | 33.3% | 30 |
| 53.8% | 24 | Pass% | 66.7% | 3 |
| 49.5% | 29 | Opp. Rush % | 52.4% | 32 |
| 50.5% | 4 | Opp. Pass % | 47.6% | 1 |
- The Vikings have allowed opposing teams to score on 67.7% of their possessions (32nd) while Houston has allowed opponents to score on 65.4% (31st).
- Houston has allowed a league-high 322 yards on rushing attempts of 10 or more yards to start the season and the most carries to gain 10 or more yards (18).
- Dalvin Cook has nine runs of 10 or more yards, trailing only Nick Chubb (12) through three weeks.
- Houston is averaging a league-worst 122.3 fewer rushing yards per game than their opponent through three weeks.
- Houston running backs are averaging a league-low 16.3 touches per game.
- Opposing running backs are averaging 35.7 touches per game against Minnesota, the most in the league.
- Deshaun Watson has used play-action on just 14.3% of his dropbacks, the lowest rate in the league through three weeks.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson (TRUST)
Watson has one of the roughest early-season starts, if not the toughest in facing the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers. There was a time when this also looked a tough draw, but with all of the injuries and moving parts on the Minnesota defense, they are 24th in completion rate allowed (69.8%) and 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.5 Y/A). They have stayed mid-pack in passing points allowed (18th) since Philip Rivers and Ryan Tannehill combined for just one touchdown pass the past two weeks against them, but outside of failing to toss touchdowns, the Vikings pass defense offered next to no resistance to their per-dropback efficiency. Watson has not finished higher than QB11 so far on the season, but this is his best look at being a top-10 scorer.
