Minnesota Vikings (7-2) will face the Tennessee Titans (2-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, airing on CBS. BetMGM has placed the Vikings as favorites by 6 points. In terms of performance against the spread, the Vikings are at 6-3 while the Titans are struggling at 1-8. The Vikings hold a historical advantage in the series, leading with a record of 9-5. The most recent clash occurred on September 27, 2020, when the Titans claimed a narrow victory of 31-30 in Minnesota. Last week, the Vikings edged past the Jaguars with a tight score of 12-7, while the Titans fell to the Chargers, finishing at 27-17.
When looking at team statistics, the Vikings rank 13th in overall offense, 16th in rushing, 12th in passing, and 10th in scoring. Defensively, they stand 11th overall, 3rd against the run, 26th in pass defense, and 3rd in points allowed. In contrast, the Titans’ offense is struggling at 27th overall, ranking 10th in rushing but 31st in passing and 27th in scoring. Their defense, however, ranks first overall but has faced challenges with a scoring defense that is 29th in the NFL. Minnesota has a positive turnover differential of +4, while Tennessee sits at -11.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has faced struggles recently, throwing 10 interceptions this season, currently tied for the league lead. Despite this, he has achieved a personal best of seven victories as a starter this year. The Titans will be looking to their signal caller, Will Levis, who was the 33rd pick in the 2023 draft. After missing three games, he aims to lead his team to a win, needing to improve on his ability to get rid of the ball after being sacked a high number of times against the Chargers. Levis will face pressure from defenders Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel as he attempts to stabilize the team’s offense.
A crucial matchup to watch will be between the Titans’ secondary and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. This season, defenses have increasingly employed a split-safety setup to contain Jefferson, with the Jaguars utilizing this strategy over 92% of their plays last week—a record high since 2018 until recently surpassed by the Rams against the Dolphins. Jefferson posted his lowest yardage total of the season last week with 48 yards on five receptions.
In terms of injuries, the Vikings have running back Aaron Jones, who missed part of the last game with rib issues but has said he is fit to play this week. Offensive tackle Cam Robinson was limited in practice due to foot soreness. The Titans, on the other hand, have cornerback L’Jarius Sneed listed as week to week and likely will miss another game. Additionally, outside linebacker Arden Key and right tackle Leroy Watson IV were absent from practice due to back issues.
Historically, this matchup has seen the Vikings play in Tennessee for the first time since the 2016 opener, which they won 25-16 with two defensive touchdowns. Minnesota has come out on top in two out of their last three encounters but holds a modest 2-3 record when playing in this matchup on the road. In their last game meeting, Justin Jefferson had a breakout performance with 175 receiving yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 25 yards per catch.
In terms of overall performance, the Vikings are undefeated at 4-0 against the AFC following a rough season last year. However, the Titans have not been successful against opponents from the NFC North this year, carrying an 0-3 record. Minnesota’s success hinges on their ability to dominate in rushing, having won all seven of their games when they have outgained their opponents on the ground. Tight end T.J. Hockenson emerged as a key player last week with eight receptions for 72 yards. The Vikings lead the NFL in takeaways with 20 and interceptions with 15, showcasing their defensive prowess.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, Jefferson stands out with a superior statistical profile compared to any player on the Titans, boasting more catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. With the Titans’ secondary missing key players, he can be a significant asset in upcoming games.