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

Don’t expect much action from your starters in the NFL preseason finale, but expect an exciting slugfest from your favorite backups and rookies.

Wade Phillips’ defense desperately needs more time to gel. The Houston Texans have a great opportunity to take the AFC South from the possible Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, but will need to be on point instantly to begin the season.

Phillips will have a major impact on the defense, but it isn’t loaded with the amount of veteran talent a defensive coordinator would like. He needs big rookie campaigns from J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed and Brandon Harris. These three all had first-round talent, but the Colts are made up of technicians. They will shatter the Texans if Phillips can’t get his team on point.

For the Vikings, it’s all about their new-look offense further gelling. They lost quality players this offseason, but still have an opportunity to fight for a playoff spot. We saw Brett Favre enjoy a renaissance two years ago, and Donovan McNabb could do the same.

Week 4 of the preseason may not be littered with players you know, but it can be the most exciting game of the preseason because these are the players who have something to fight for. These are the men who aren’t always guaranteed roster spots and are looking to not only make a name for themselves, but make a living doing what they love.

Where: Mall of America Field

When: Thursday, September 1, 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC-13/KTRK Houston, KARE 11 Minnesota, NFL.com Preseason Subscription ($4.99), NFL Network Replay (September 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET)

Listen: SR610 AM/100.3 KILT FM Houston, KFAN 100.3 Minnesota

Texans’ Key Addition

Johnathan Joseph was a must-have for the Texans. They consistently churned out arguably the worst secondary units ever in 2010. Phillips’ defense will put more pressure on the quarterback, but he still needed a major upgrade in the secondary. Rookie Harris would not have been a reliable No. 1, but Joseph has the skills to be one of the best overall corners in the league.

Vikings’ Key Addition

Minnesota shocked most by selecting Christian Ponder No. 12 overall, but McNabb is the veteran piece they need to get back in the division race. He works well with underachieving and smaller wide receivers, which the Vikings’ supporting cast is made of. He is the veteran presence the organization needed to avoid calling this season a wash. 

Texans’ Biggest Loss

The biggest impact player Houston lost was fullback Vonta Leach. He is a great lead-blocker who plays the position like a linebacker. He actively seeks out defenders to demolish. Good thing they were able to replace him with Lawrence Vickers, or the Texans’ rushing attack would suffer.

Vikings’ Biggest Loss

Minnesota lost a slew of high-quality players, including WR Sidney Rice, but Ray Edwards is an emerging force at defensive end. With Jared Allen, they created one of the more vicious and ferocious defensive end tandems in the league. The Vikings could get by without Rice if their defense holds and Edwards becomes a major contributor. 

What They’re Saying

Arian Foster made headlines with his recent comments about fantasy football making him sick, but they came about because he hurt his hammy… again. Foster is the catalyst for the Texans’ success this season.

The Houston Chronicles’ John McClain explains:

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Injured Texans running back Arian Foster wants to clear up two issues that have caused a lot of second-guessing.

After practice in 105-degree heat on Monday, Foster said the injury to his left hamstring he suffered in Saturday's 30-7 victory at San Francisco is a mild strain that's a lot better than he thought it was.

Foster said he plans to be in the lineup on Sept. 11 when the Texans begin regular season against Indianapolis at Reliant Stadium.

Foster also delivered a message to his Twitter fans—those who expressed concern with his injury and those fantasy players worried about losing points because of his injury.

The Texans had a light practice Monday.

"I'm okay," Foster said. "It's a lot better than I thought it was. I'm already jogging," said Foster.

"

After he ripped the Colts last season for more than 220 yards and three touchdowns, they need him ready for their rematch opener.

I doubt we see Adrian Peterson for more than a few snaps, but the offensive game plan will still tell a story for Vikings fans and fantasy owners. The offense, of course, will revolve around AP all day and every day, but is his role increasing?

"

As for the workload Peterson is expected to get starting Sept. 11, when the Vikings open the season in San Diego, Musgrave said an average of 25 carries per game to start with would be high.

Last year, Peterson averaged 18.9 carries in 15 games, giving him 283 for the season. That was his lowest total since he had 238 in his rookie season, when he sat out two games because of a knee injury.

Considering Peterson's expected to be a big part of the short-passing game, too—he had a career-high 43 receptions in 2009—his touches almost certainly will go up.

"I think we can increase (his carries) as the season goes along," [offensive coordinator Bill] Musgrave said. "We've got a good stable of backs. So, we're going to run the football, and they're all going to get their share—with Adrian getting the majority of it," said Musgrave, according to 1500 ESPN’s Judd Zulgad.

"

Not only is this great news for Peterson’s fantasy owners, it is better news for Vikings fans. He is the key to the Vikings’ success, and any time they can get the ball in his hands more often, good things will come. He had injury concerns coming out of college, but he has put them to rest. He deserves the increased touches, and the Vikings need him to control the pace of the game on the ground and through the air.

Texans Player to Watch

Rookie Brooks Reed is a phenomenal pass-rusher. He has Clay Matthews-type abilities and will excel in Phillips’ 3-4 defense. He has an incredible work ethic and a non-stop motor on the field. He will relentlessly attack the passer and should vie for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Vikings Player to Watch

Visanthe Shiancoe may not be ready to start the season due to a hamstring injury. It would be up to rookie TE Kyle Rudolph to step in and shoulder the load. He was the clear-cut No. 1 2011 draft prospect at tight end and could excel instantly with McNabb tossing the rock. He is a highly athletic TE with great receiving skills, size and speed.

Matchup to Watch

Ponder is expected to be the future of the franchise. I maintain that he was NFL-ready to start this season, but McNabb was an ideal acquisition. Houston’s defense may be revamped, but the backups still aren’t noteworthy in the secondary. This is a prime opportunity for Ponder to prove to Vikings fans that booed him on draft day what they can expect in the future.

Texans’ Position Battle

Andre Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the game. It’s scary to think how many more receptions, yards and touchdowns he would produce if the Texans actually had a quality No. 2 receiver opposite him. It’s about time Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones set themselves apart from each other and take the step to the next level.

Vikings’ Position Battle

Similar to Houston, Minnesota is looking for a quality No. 2 wide receiver as Percy Harvin takes over at No. 1 for Sidney Rice. They signed Michael Jenkins, who is primarily a possession receiver. They also have Bernard Berrian, who is primarily a deep threat. Harvin can excel as a possession receiver and deep threat, so it’ll be interesting to see who will step up to complete the offense. 

Key Storyline

The entire preseason is about the Texans’ defense. They consistently put out a Super Bowl-caliber offense, but one of the worst defenses in the NFL. It’s time the defense bridges the gap and Phillips’ 3-4 scheme is expected to be the answer. This game may be filled with backups, but it’s still the same scheme. They need to set the tone for the rest of the team heading into the ever-important Week 1 matchup with the Colts.

Prediction

Houston, 20-17