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Scouting report: Houston at Vikings

October 6, 2016 at 4:31AM

Through four games, Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler is still seeking consistency in a new offense. His six interceptions trail only New York’s Ryan Fitzpatrick (10) and Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston (eight). (Brian Wicker — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sunday: Noon at U.S. Bank Stadium (Ch. 4, 100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

About the Texans (3-1)

• Rookie receiver Will Fuller scored two touchdowns, including a 67-yard punt return, to lift the Texans over the Titans in Houston last week.

• It was the Texans' first game without superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, who underwent back surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

• Even without Watt, the Texans still are driven by one of the league's top defenses. They're No. 1 against the pass, allowing just 162.5 yards per game, and No. 2 on third downs.

• The offense, infused with weapons and new quarterback Brock Osweiler, has struggled to get off the ground. The Texans average 17.2 points per game, fourth fewest in the NFL.

• Running back Lamar Miller, who left Miami for Houston during the offseason, is fourth in the league with 351 rushing yards.

PLAYER SPEAK | QB Brock Osweiler

• Osweiler chose the bigger contract in Houston this spring, signing a four-year, $72 million deal to leave Super Bowl champion Denver.

• Through four games, he still seeks consistency in a new offense. His six interceptions trail only New York's Ryan Fitzpatrick (10) and Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston (eight).

• On living up to his contract: "I don't look at it as pressure. Whether I was compensated with a dollar or what I am being compensated with, I want to be a great player."

• On top receiver DeAndre Hopkins: "He only had one catch [last week], a huge catch to get us a third down, but his run blocking. He was running all over the field making big blocks that helped us make explosive gains."

• On facing S Harrison Smith: "You have to respect him no matter where he's at on the football field. He's a bit of a wild card. He might show blitz and rotate at the snap or vice versa."

COACH SPEAK | Bill O'Brien

• O'Brien is 21-16 in his third NFL season as head coach, including 0-1 in the playoffs (2015).

• Under O'Brien's watch, the Texans defense has ranked in the league's top 10 in fewest points allowed in each of the past two seasons and currently ranks eighth (18.2 ppg).

• On Osweiler's play so far: "Brock has played well enough for us to be 3-1. If he cuts down on the turnovers, he's playing at a real high level."

• On replacing J.J. Watt: "When you lose a top player, that's not easy. You have to have a strong roster where the next guy, or next guys in J.J.'s case — not one guy replaces J.J. — but a group of guys have stepped in."

• On the Texans' 29th-ranked run defense: "Teams haven't necessarily had to throw a whole bunch because we've given up some rushing yards."

Andrew Krammer