A pair of playoff teams from the 2012 season will start things back up on Friday night in Week 1 of the 2013 NFL preseason when the Houston Texans match up with the Minnesota Vikings. Scheduled for an 8pm kickoff, most of the nation will not be able to see this game live (local markets only) but NFL Network will carry the replay as usual.
- When:
Fri., Aug. 9th, 2013 @ 8:00pm ET
- Where:
Mall Of America Field, Minneapolis
- Who’s Favored?
Pick’Em ~ 35 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
The Vikings reached the playoffs last season thanks to the near record-breaking performance of Adrian Peterson, who came within nine yards of the single-season rushing mark. Peterson will certainly play another big role this year – AD plans to break Emmitt Smith’s all-time rushing record after all. But, it’s unlikely that he will be in a big role for this first preseason game.
Vikings’ QB Christian Ponder will need to step it up if he hopes to bring a two-front attack to the offense, or at the very least balance it out a little. The team ranked second in rushing, and 31st in passing in 2012.
For the Texans, they won a second-straight AFC South title and will go for a third. The team appears ready to make a Super Bowl run, bringing in players like S Ed Reed to solidify the secondary and sew up weaknesses.
Offensively, Houston should be one of the top teams in the league once again, with Matt Schaub at the quarterback position and Arian Foster in the backfield.
It’s hard to say what to expect for this one, but the players on both sides of the field will be excited to get back out there suited up and ready for some real competition outside of training camp.