Vikings vs. Texans: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The Minnesota Vikings will head into Houston to battle the Texans in each team's final preseason matchup on Thursday.

The Vikings are coming off a 3-13 campaign that saw star running back Adrian Peterson suffer a torn ACL and MCL in Week 16. They hope to make strides this season under second-year quarterback Christian Ponder.

The Texans boast a championship-contending team, complete with starting quarterback Matt Schaub, who is coming off an injury of his own. They figure to be explosive on both sides of the ball this season.

Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX

When: Thursday, August 30 at 7 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC KARE-11 (Minnesota), ABC KTRK-13 (Houston)

Listen: KFAN FM 100.3 (Minnesota), 610 AM/100.3 FM/1010 AM (Houston) 

Live Stream: NFL Preseason Live, NFL Red Zone

Betting Line: Texans -3.5, Over/Under 40 (via ScoresAndOdds.com)

What's At Stake?

With the majority of the starters getting their most significant work in last week, this is the time for the rookies to have their final tune-up for the regular season and for most of the backup spots to be decided.

Vikings rookie left tackle Matt Kalil had his worst preseason game last week matched up against San Diego Chargers speed-rusher Larry English. Free safety Harrison Smith needs to learn helmet-to-helmet hits will be dealt with swiftly by the NFL. Punt-returning duties are still being battled for in Minnesota.

The offense in Houston has improved each week of the preseason, which has led the Texans to rest their starters on Thursday. Starting quarterback Matt Schaub has looked good coming off of injury. Rookie outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has been as advertised so far, with 2.5 sacks in the preseason.

Injury Report (via CBSSports.com)

Vikings

DL Letroy Guion—Knee—Doubtful, questionable for start of regular season

DB Chris Cook—Head—Questionable

RB Adrian Peterson—Knee—OUT, probable for start of regular season

WR Greg Childs—Knees—OUT for season

TE John Carlson—Knee—Questionable for start of regular season

Texans

K Randy Bullock—Groin—OUT for season

DL Ra'Shon Harris—Triceps—OUT for season

WR Andre Johnson—Groin—Probable for start of regular season

DL J.J. Watt—Elbow—Doubtful for preseason, questionable for start of regular season

What They're Saying

It hasn't exactly been an impressive preseason in Minnesota. Starting quarterback Christian Ponder went 9-of-16 for 115 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' preseason loss against the Chargers. He was sacked five times.

Ponder appears confident, though, claiming that all the mistakes were "completely correctable," via the Star Tribune.

Ponder said that he suffered many of the sacks because he didn't step up enough in the pocket. He also said that many of his incompletions were due to the fact that he was "pumped up" and throwing the ball too hard.

In Houston, a lot of attention has been placed on the battle for the starting right tackle spot. For the time being, that battle is over, as second-year pro Derek Newton has been named the starter, per the Houston Chronicle.

It's important that Newton plays well this season, especially with Schaub coming back from injury. Newton played just two series against the New Orleans Saints last week, but that was all he needed to prove his worth. The Texans scored a touchdown on each series to jump out to a 14-0 lead before Newton was subbed out.

Vikings Player to Watch: Toby Gerhart, RB

Toby Gerhart will be depended on to back up Adrian Peterson in Minnesota and he may get a bigger workload so that Peterson can stay healthy, at least in the early goings. Gerhart rushed for 531 yards on 109 carries last season, including one touchdown. He also caught 23 balls for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He had three games in which he rushed for 90 yards or more.

Texans Player to Watch: Whitney Mercilus, OLB

Whitney Mercilus has already flashed his potential in the preseason, exhibiting the speed and quickness that made him highly coveted coming out of Illinois. The Texans gave up just 17.4 points per game last season as one of the league's best defenses, racking up 44 sacks. With Mario Williams now out of town, Mercilus' development will be critical for the pass rush.

Key Matchup: Texans Pass Rush vs. Vikings Offensive Line

With many of the starters out of this game, it's a good opportunity for the backups to show what they've got. The Vikings gave up 49 sacks last season, tied for fifth-most with the Chicago Bears. Ponder may have needed to step up in the pocket a bit more last game, but he was still sacked five times. The O-line in Minnesota is a work in progress.

Prediction: Texans 20, Vikings 10

Minus their starters, the Vikings are going to have a tough time competing with a Texans team that is vying for the Super Bowl this season. I expect the Texans to create pressure on the quarterback on Thursday and do enough on offense to win the last preseason tune-up.

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