Brian Callahan’s club is in the midst of a stretch in which his team will wind up being on the road five times in seven games. No doubt the Titans are more than happy to be back in Nashville for the second time in three contests. In Week 9, Tennessee pulled out a 20-17 overtime win over the Patriots for their second win of 2024.
This week’s challenge is a little more daunting. The 7-2 Minnesota Vikings are in town, and have made a habit of coming up big versus AFC competition this season. This is the third straight game against an AFC South club for the Purple Gang, and Kevin O’Connell’s club is 4-0 vs. interconference competition this season.
All-Time Series Record
There’s a Dolly Parton feel to this interconference series, and that’s somewhat fitting since this week’s clash is in Nashville. Pun intended as the Vikings have the upper hand, “9 to 5.” The teams are meeting for the first time since the Titans came away with a wild 31-30 victory at Minnesota in 2020. As for the Purple Gang’s last appearance at Tennessee, the Vikings came up with a 25-16 triumph in 2016.
Quarterbacks: Tale of the Tape
Vikings’ signal-caller Sam Darnold was one of the hot topics around the league during the team’s 5-0 start. He threw for 11 scores compared to just four picks, and also lost a pair of fumbles. It’s been a different story the past four games as Minnesota split those contests. Darnold has thrown an equal amount of touchdown passes (6) and interceptions. He’s also lost a fumble, and has 13 of the club’s 16 turnovers.
When you look at Will Levis’s overall stats, the one thing that stands out is his impressive 68.2 completion percentage. However, you can’t ignore his 5.91 yards per attempt, as well as the second-year pro serving up just as many TD passes (7) as interceptions. He has been sacked 22 times and lost three of his four fumbles. Last Sunday was the first time in his six games this season that he did not commit a turnover.
Defensive Analysis
Last season, the Vikings hired Brian Flores to be their defensive coordinator. He improved a woeful unit that was the strong suit of the club in 2023. Entering Week 11, only the Ravens had allowed fewer rushing yards per game. This team gives up lots of yards through the air, but has totaled 30 sacks and an NFL-high 20 takeaways. Jonathan Greenard (7.0) and Andrew Van Ginkel (6.0) have combined for 13 sacks.
The Titans just don’t give up a lot of yards, ranking first in the league for most of 2024 in fewest total yards and passing yards allowed per game. However, Dennard Wilson’s club has produced few big plays, and not a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. As a team, Tennessee has only six takeaways, and the pass rush has totaled only 18 sacks. As usual, Harold Landry III leads the club with five quarterback traps.
Keys to the Game
Vikings: For the most part, one of the strong suits of O’Connell’s team this season has been quick starts. In nine games, the Vikings have outscored the opposition a combined 75-17 in the first quarter. However, that point production has slowed to a crawl. Despite a pair of wins, the team has a combined three first-quarter points the last two weeks. Darnold and company must regain that form that keyed the 5-0 start.
Titans: Only the Patriots are averaging fewer passing yards per game than the Titans. However, this may be the week that Callahan lets Levis loose against a Vikings’ team that ranks 26th in the league in pass defense, and has allowed 14 touchdown passes in nine outings. It could be a risky move when it comes to relying on Levis, and against a Minnesota team that leads the NFL with 15 interceptions. Gambling time?
Titans Player to Watch
If Darnold continues his recent penchant for throwing the football to the other team, this may be an opportunity for Wilson’s unit to add to its dismal interception total. In nine games this season, the Titans have come up with only six takeaways, equally divided between fumble recoveries (3) and picks (3). What is somewhat interesting is that only one of Callahan’s players has an interception. Six-year safety Amani Hooker has all three of those picks.
Dating back to last season, the Titans have intercepted only nine passes in 26 contests, and the 2019 fourth-round pick from the University of Iowa has had a solid year overall. There have been 43 tackles, as well as a season-high seven passes defensed. Hooker is also tied for the club lead with a pair of forced fumbles. Can he grab a Darnold pass and take it in for a score?