This Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings (7-2, 6-3 ATS, 3-6 O/U) will face off against the Tennessee Titans (2-7, 1-8 ATS, 5-3-1 O/U) in an exciting inter-conference matchup. The Vikings recently secured a victory on the road against the Jaguars, while the Titans suffered a defeat at the hands of the Chargers. The last encounter between these two teams took place during the 2020 season, where the Titans emerged victorious.
When it comes to NFL Picks, this season has certainly been captivating!
Vikings Aim for a Winning Streak
Currently, the Minnesota Vikings are on a quest for their third consecutive win. After a strong 5-0 start, they faced setbacks in two games against rivals Detroit and Los Angeles. However, they rebounded with two wins, defeating the Colts and achieving a narrow 12-7 victory against the Jaguars last week, where they were favored by 6.5 points. They are just one game behind the Lions in the NFC North standings. The Vikings have managed to cover the spread in two of their last five games.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been instrumental in their recent success. He has consistently reached over 240 passing yards in four of his last five games, despite a less-than-ideal performance last week, where he threw three interceptions. Darnold’s season stats show 2,141 passing yards and a 17:10 touchdown to interception ratio.
Running back Aaron Jones played a crucial role in last week’s win, accumulating 88 rushing yards. The experienced RB has surpassed 50 rushing yards in four consecutive games, totaling 653 yards this season. Although dealing with a rib injury, he was limited in practice on Thursday. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson continues to shine, recording 80 or more receiving yards in eight of nine games, totaling 831 yards. Jordan Addison adds depth to the receiving corps with 298 yards. However, the Minnesota offense has struggled to score, managing 23 or fewer points in four of their last five games while averaging 343 yards per game.
The Vikings’ defense has significantly contributed to their standing. The unit has shown resilience, allowing only 13 points to the Colts and a mere 143 total yards against Jacksonville. While the pass defense ranks 25th, their rush defense impressively stands at 2nd. This season, Minnesota averages 24.6 points per game, placing them 10th, and they are allowing only 17.4 points per game, ranking 3rd.
Titans Struggle for Momentum
On the other hand, the Tennessee Titans are looking to secure their third win of the season amid turmoil. After trading away key players, the team has faced a challenging campaign. Their only wins occurred in September against the Dolphins and a recent 20-17 overtime victory against the Patriots. Last week, they fell to the Chargers with a score of 27-17, entering the matchup as eight-point underdogs. Throughout the season, the Titans have managed to cover the spread only once.
Quarterback Will Levis, who missed several weeks due to injury, has returned to the field for the last two games. Last week, he showcased his potential by throwing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Levis has accumulated 874 passing yards this season with a 7:7 touchdown to interception ratio.
Running back Tony Pollard has emerged as a bright spot for the Titans. He recorded 128 rushing yards in the win against the Patriots and has a total of 666 rushing yards for the season. However, he is currently dealing with a foot injury and is listed as questionable for the upcoming game. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is also a player to keep an eye on; he has recorded 84 or more receiving yards in two of his last three games, totaling 483 yards this season. The Titans’ offense has been struggling, scoring 20 or fewer points in five straight games with an average of just 295 yards per game.
Defensively, the Titans have shown solid performances. They limited the Patriots to 295 total yards in their overtime win and only allowed 309 yards against the Chargers. Their pass defense stands out, ranking 1st, while their rush defense is positioned at 13th. Tennessee averages 17.4 points per game, ranking 28th, and they concede an average of 26.7 points, placing them 28th overall.
Best Bets for Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans
