NFL undefeated teams meet as Texans visit Vikings, Steelers host Chargers

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Rising star quarterback CJ Stroud leads the Houston Texans past Minnesota while the Los Angeles Chargers visit Pittsburgh on Sunday in a pair of NFL matchups between undefeated clubs.

Week 3 of the campaign sees a Texans team get off to its first 2-0 start since 2016 against a Vikings team that leads the NFL with 11 quarterback sacks.

“It’s one of those matchups you look forward to because we know they have good receivers at every position,” Vikings cornerback Camryn Bynum said.

Stroud, 22, completed 47 of 68 passes for 494 yards and three touchdowns, with his top target being Nico Collins, who leads the NFL with 252 yards on 14 receptions.

“An incredible talent. CJ is off to a great start to his career and has already become a central part of the defensive setup,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.

“What stands out the most is his arm talent… he seems incredibly prepared. It’s pretty remarkable for such a young player.”

Texans star pitcher Joe Mixon is doubtful with an ankle injury.

“We’re going to take it day by day with Joe,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We’re still hopeful that he can get there.”

If not, his likely replacement is former Viking Cam Akers.

“I have a story to tell there,” Akers said. “But it’s just another game.”

Minnesota’s Sam Darnold has completed 36 of 50 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns and ranks third in the NFL with 9.5 yards per pass attempt, with Justin Jefferson leading the Vikings with eight receptions for 192 yards.

The Texans rank second in the NFL in sacks with nine through two games.

“They’re doing a pretty good job of hiding the different pressures they’re putting on them,” Darnold said. “This week, the opportunities are going to be huge for us.”

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers dominated with their defensive skills, ranking fifth overall while leading the NFL with a plus-five turnover ratio.

“We have to keep progressing and getting better every day,” Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen said. “Every day we have to come out here and work hard to get even closer because we know the games are getting tougher.”

Chargers running back JK Dobbins leads NFL rushers with 27 carries for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s got it all. He’s got the vision, the speed, the energy, he’s a versatile back,” Queen said. “Being able to go out there and neutralize him gives me bragging rights and helps this team win.”

“It’s going to be a football match behind closed doors. It’s going to be your man against our man. I can’t wait.”

New coach Jim Harbaugh asked the Chargers to spend the week in Charlotte to practice at a college between East Coast games rather than return to Los Angeles.

“You can definitely focus on football and I think that’s what Harbs wants us to do, be totally absorbed in football — and we were,” Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst said.

He’s ready to take on Pittsburgh’s formidable defensive pressure.

“A creative, fast, physical defense,” Hurst said. “Being physical is what they want to do. That’s their trademark.”

Other games involving 2-0 teams see defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City (2-0) at Atlanta (1-1), Seattle (2-0) hosting Miami (1-1), Denver (0-2) at Tampa Bay (2-0), New Orleans (2-0) hosting Philadelphia (1-1) and Jacksonville (0-2) at Buffalo (2-0) on Monday night.

Other games this week will see the New York Giants at Cleveland, Chicago at Indianapolis, Green Bay at Tennessee, Carolina at Las Vegas, Detroit at Arizona, Baltimore at Dallas, San Francisco at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Cincinnati on Monday night.

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