Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans Week 16 2012

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans 12/23/12 Game Preview. The Minnesota Vikings travel from the frozen tundra of the northlands to an always balmy Reliant Stadium in Houston to meet the Texans in week 16 of the NFL schedule. The game is set to begin at 1:00ET and will be covered regionally on the FOX television network.

Quick Summary: I recommend betting on Houston Texans at Bovada.

Let us first quickly dispose of the playoff scenarios that await this contest. If the Texans (12-2) win, they capture home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If the season ended today, the Vikings would be a NFC wild card team along with Seattle. At the moment they share an 8-6 won / lost record with the Bears, Cowboys and Giants. Obviously this game is huge for them.

Minnesota has won two in a row after defeating a much improved St. Louis Ram team 36-22 last week. If it were not for RB Adrian Petersen and his remarkable recuperative abilities the Vikings would be nowhere to be found in the postseason picture. He has accounted for 1,812 yards and 11 touchdowns thus far this season. It has been 12 months from the day he went down with a torn MCL. Thanks to Petersen, the Vikings are fourth in rushing offense with just over 160 yards per game. It’s a good thing too, with QB Christian Ponder struggling behind center. Minnesota is dead last in passing in the NFL with just a 168 YPG average. Vikings WR Percy Harvin has been lost for the year.

This game should provide quite a matchup given Houston is only in the middle of the pack defending the pass but fifth against the run.

Houston has a pretty good running back too. That would be none other than Arian Foster. After not getting his regularly scheduled touchdown in last week’s 29-17 win against the Colts look for him to cross the goal line at least once in this one. While not scoring, Foster still accumulated 165 yards rushing on 27 carries (not too shabby) vs. Indianapolis. Another key on offense in this one will of course be QB Matt Schaub. He has thrown for over 3500 yards and 22 touchdowns to date. Considering the Vikings rank 23rd in pass defense you should see a slew of pigskins flying through the air on Sunday. WR Andre Johnson should be Schaub’s favorite target.

As a matter of fact, Houston leads in every single offensive category versus Minnesota. Total yards per game, passing, rushing, points, third down conversions and even time of possession all fall in the Texans favor. That said it is a total “360” on defense with the Vikings holding the upper hand. DE Jared Allen leads a sometimes ferocious rush. The defensive numbers are much closer though, so I’m giving the nod to Houston in this one.

Where To Bet Online

	Site		Bonus	Review	Visit

Betting Odds and Points Spread

• Minnesota Vikings: +9 (-125)
  
• Houston Texans: -9 (+105)

Game Prediction

Las Vegas is picking the Texans by 7.5 with an over / under of 43.5 total points. That sounds pretty close to me, so I’m going with Houston, winning at home by the final score of 27-20.

My Prediction: Houston Texas 27-20

Game Final Score

• Minnesota Vikings: 23
• Houston Texans: 6