NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Minnesota Vikings are poised for another opportunity to address their offensive shortcomings this Sunday as they continue a stretch of two consecutive away games against the struggling teams of the AFC South.
In recent outings, Sam Darnold has been prone to mistakes, racking up five turnovers over the last two games, including three interceptions during a narrow 12-7 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Fortunately for Darnold, the Vikings’ defense and kicker managed to mask his errors.
This week, the Vikings are set to face off against the Tennessee Titans, who currently boast one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NFL. The Titans’ average of 17.4 points per game aligns perfectly with the defensive performance of Minnesota, which is helmed by coordinator Brian Flores.
Tennessee’s first-year head coach, Brian Callahan, acknowledges that it has all come together for the Vikings, much in the way they envision their own team operating: synergistically across all phases to create opportunities. “When you combine the efforts from all units, players are put in a position to succeed and Sam has been able to capitalize on that,” Callahan explained.
On the flip side, the Titans (2-7) are coming off a 27-17 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, where second-year quarterback Will Levis returned to the lineup.
Tennessee’s defense has been impressive this season, ranking at the top of the NFL in terms of least yards and passing yards allowed. The Titans have only surrendered over 200 passing yards once this year but have managed just three interceptions, all registered by safety Amani Hooker. Despite their strong pass defense, they are struggling in terms of points allowed, giving up an average of 26.7 per game. Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell has opted not to dive deep into these statistics. “From what I’ve observed on film, I can say it’s a solid defense,” he stated regarding the Titans.
The Vikings are leading the league in turnovers forced, with a total of 20, including 15 interceptions, thanks to the disciplined chaos that Flores creates with his offensive strategies. Minnesota’s defensive approach often includes unexpected pass rushers coming from different spots, quickly transitioning to coverage, making it challenging for their opponents.
The Vikings also make efforts to enhance their turnover game through weekly strategies, overseen by special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, where they practice techniques to align with the quarterback’s gaze, facilitating better opportunities to disrupt passes. “Our players have embraced the guidance, and we just keep honing our skills,” Flores mentioned. “It’s something we’re focused on continuously.”
Despite having a solid turnover prevention streak, the Titans recently managed to finish a game without any giveaways for the first time this season, although they allowed seven sacks in that outing. A critical issue for Tennessee is the right tackle position, which has seen three different starters throughout the year.
Levis acknowledged the importance of quick decision-making in the face of pressure. He noted that understanding when to release the ball quickly is crucial for alleviating some burden off his offensive line. This matchup could prove pivotal for the Titans’ struggling aerial attack as they face a Vikings secondary opponents have been able to exploit, yielding an average of 231.9 passing yards per game. “It’s upon me to recognize the right moments to hold onto the ball or to let it go quickly,” Levis commented.
A noteworthy matchup to watch will be between Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and the Vikings’ star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. Brownlee recalls a conversation he had a couple of years ago with Jefferson, who had mentioned his intent to challenge him in the NFL. “He basically told me he would work me over when I got to the league,” Brownlee shared. “I’m ready to welcome this tough, physical matchup.”
In other news, kicker Parker Romo had a standout performance last week, successfully converting all four of his field-goal attempts during his debut in the NFL in less-than-ideal weather conditions. He had previously been part of the team during the offseason and training camp before being called upon for a tryout after Will Reichard was placed on injured reserve. The 27-year-old has prior experience, mainly through the XFL, and expressed his commitment to excel in his new role. “I’ll strive to be the best version of myself as long as I’m here,” Romo concluded.