Compiled by FootballDiehards Editor Bob Harris | Updated 5 October 2016
Despite a 3-1 record and a two-game lead in the AFC South, there is still plenty the Texans need to work on before they travel to Minnesota.
Brock Osweiler has thrown six interceptions in the first four games, including two against Tennessee Sunday. Osweiler has thrown five touchdowns this season, with two of those coming in a 27-20 win over the Titans.
However, Houston coach Bill O'Brien said Monday he was not concerned about the number of interceptions Osweiler has thrown.
"I believe it will get fixed," O'Brien said. "Brock has played well for us. Other than the two interceptions, I thought the guy played a good football game for us, got us into the right plays, good tempo. We have to stop turning the ball over, and I think a lot goes into that, not just one player."
Osweiler completed 12 of his first 13 passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 157.5 passer rating in the first quarter. However, he finished just 25 of 37 for 254 yards with the two scores and two interceptions for an 82.5 passer rating.
O'Brien said that when he looked at the interceptions, there was a lot that went into them, including Osweiler's decision, the way the receiver's route was run, protection and if Osweiler had to rush to get rid of the ball.
"The thing about interceptions is that when you study them, there have been a couple that haven't been good decisions that we have to clean up," O'Brien said.
Elsewhere on the offensive side, O'Brien said the Texans have to do a better job of getting DeAndre Hopkins the ball. Hopkins had one reception for 4 yards on six targets against Tennessee.
"They basically doubled him quite a bit," O'Brien said. "He had a big catch. Even though he had one catch, the catch he had was a big catch at the end of the game. It was a third-down conversion that took some more time off the clock.
"It's not like he didn't have a productive game. He blocked well, too."
Hopkins, who led the Texans in receptions last season, has 17 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns through the first four games this season, but he is the second-leading receiver on the team. Rookie Will Fuller is the leading receiver with 19 catches for 323 yards and two touchdowns.
On a more positive note, with O'Brien calling plays, Texans get more creative, less predictable and harder to contain as a no-huddle attack kept the Titans on their heels in the first quarter. The tight ends were heavily involved. C.J. Fiedorowicz said O'Brien came up to him before the game and said he needed to "play big" this week. He did, with four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.
"When he comes up to you, that means a lot," Fiedorowicz said. "When your number is called, you have to make the plays and I'll tell you I'm happy to get the ball."
In addition, the running game picked up steam. And the Texans capitalized on the rare speed of Fuller. There was even a flea-flicker pass, albeit one that didn't work out.
The offense converted both of its red-zone scoring opportunities. And the running game was more effective as the Texans averaged 4.8 yards per carry and finished with 115 yards on 24 attempts, led by running back Lamar Miller's 82 yards on 19 carries.
"I thought it was pretty effective," Texans owner Bob McNair said. "We moved the ball."
Despite the fast start on offense, in its first game without J.J. Watt since he was drafted in 2011, the Texans' defense did not have a great showing. A game after giving up 27 points to the New England Patriots, the defense allowed 20 to the Titans. The unit struggled against the run, something O'Brien had said would be a major key against the Titans' two power running backs, DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry. Murray scored two touchdowns and finished the game with 95 rushing yards.
"[He's a] very good running back," inside linebacker Brian Cushing said. "Very fast, very elusive but can also run for power. A guy like that you just try to limit him as much as you can. You're not going to shut him down, but you have to limit the big plays and don't let him break as many tackles as he usually does."
Former No. 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney started in Watt's place at left defensive end. And while the front seven got some pressure on Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, it had just one sack in the game.
"I had a bad series the last series, I had two offside penalties so I was like, ‘I got to make up for it this next series,'" Clowney said. "And I was just trying to do whatever it takes to help my team win the game."
One injury note of interest heading into this week's game against a very tough Vikings defense. ... Fiedorowicz suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Tests on Monday determined that it's not a long-term injury. Fiedorowicz expressed relief Sunday that the injury wasn't more serious, but his status for this week is unclear. The Texans are already missing rookie TE Stephen Anderson (hamstring). Ryan Griffin should take over as the full-time tight end against the Vikings.
Also, Braxton Miller's status remains unclear. The rookie has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue and he isn't a lock to return this week -- although he was on the practice field Wednesday.
And finally. ... Fuller was named AFC special teams player of the week after helping his team beat the Titans with a 67-yard punt return.
Fuller also had seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, as he makes himself more a part of the offense as well.
DEPTH CHART
QBs: Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage, Brandon Weeden
RBs: Lamar Miller, Alfred Blue, Tyler Ervin, Jonathan Grimes
WRs: DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, Keith Mumphery
TEs: C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson
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