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With possible suspensions looming, Vikings host Texans

Nov 2, 2008 - 2:05 PM HOUSTON (3-4) AT MINNESOTA (3-4), 1:00 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- With defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams facing possible four-game suspensions, the Minnesota Vikings host the Houston Texans on Sunday in a battle of teams looking to reach .500.

FoxSports reported Monday that the two players tested positive for a banned diuretic, which would mean an automatic four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The Vikings have refused to discuss the possible suspensions, but coach Brad Childress insists the story won't be a distraction.

"It's a family and personal issue," said Childress, who expects that the two Williamses will play this week. "We're not going to allow any of it to be a distraction."

Minnesota (3-4), which is one game behind co-leaders Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North, had a bye last week after suffering a wild 48-41 loss at Chicago on October 25.

After winning three of his first four starts for the Vikings, Gus Frerotte threw four interceptions against the Bears.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns, the fourth time he has surpassed the century mark this season. He is the NFL's second-leading rusher with 684 yards.

"If (Peterson's) not (the best running back), he's right up there with the best," Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's very capable."

However, the Vikings have surrendered five special-teams touchdowns this season, including two against Chicago.

Houston (3-4) heads to Minnesota riding a franchise record three-game winning streak and is looking to reach .500 through eight games for the second time in the team's seven-year history. The Texans started 4-3 in 2004 but lost their next three games and finished 7-9.

"I think it says a lot about their character," Kubiak said. "It was very difficult. You go through a stage like that, it's very easy to go the other way and not be able to dig your way out of it."

However, Houston's last two victories have come against Detroit and Cincinnati - the NFL's only winless teams.

Matt Schaub passed for 280 yards and tied a career high with three touchdown passes in last week's 35-6 victory over the Bengals.