Vikings Titans Odds

The Minnesota Vikings, after being dealt a major blow in preseason, open their regular season slate with a trip to face the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee with television coverage provided by FOX. According to the current odds, Minnesota is favored by 2.5 points with the over/under set at 40 points in this contest.

Minnesota went 11-5 last year and won their first division title since 2009. The Vikings lost in the wild card round of the playoffs, 10-9, to the Seahawks when Blair Walsh missed a field goal in the final minute. Tennessee missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year, finishing 3-13 on the season. This is the 13th all-time meeting between the teams. Minnesota has an 8-4 advantage in the series. The Vikings won five of the last six meetings, including a 30-7 romp on October 7, 2012.

Early Lean on Minnesota -2.5

Teddy Bridgewater completed 292 of 447 passes for 3,231 yards with 14 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. He was sacked 44 times. Bridgewater added 192 yards and a trio of scores on the ground. He suffered a torn ACL in practice last month and is done for the year. The Vikings pulled the trigger, sending their first round pick next year to the Eagles for Sam Bradford. It won’t be Bradford but backup Shaun Hill who gets the start in this contest. Hill was just 2 of 7 for 15 yards in extremely limited action last season. He does have familiarity with the Vikings’ system.

Adrian Peterson was the team’s leading rusher with 327 carries for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jerick McKinnon was next in line with 52 carries for 271 yards and two scores. Stefon Diggs led Minnesota with 52 receptions for 720 yards and four touchdowns, showing the Vikings weren’t overly reliant on the passing game. Tight end Kyle Rudolph (second on the team with 49 grabs, 495 yards, 5 TD) is a valuable big target down the seam for Hill or Bradford. Jarius Wright and Cordarrelle Patterson have to step up and contribute in the passing game. Blair Walsh hit 33 of 37 extra points and 34 of 39 field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards.

Marcus Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy two years ago for Oregon, is starting for the Titans at quarterback. He completed 230 of 370 passes for 2,818 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 picks while getting sacked 38 times. Mariota added 252 yards plus two scores on the ground. He missed time last season with a knee sprain. Veteran journeyman Matt Cassel is the backup quarterback should something happen to Mariota.

Antonio Andrews led Tennessee on the ground last year with 143 carries for 520 yards and three scores. With Demarco Murray coming to town along with last year’s Heisman winner, Derrick Henry, the backfield is a crowded one. Kendall Wright was second on the team with 36 catches for 408 yards and three scores. Tight end Delanie Walker was the go to guy in the passing game. He racked up a team high 94 grabs for 1,088 yards and six scores. The Titans overhauled their receiver corps in the offseason. Veterans Andre Johnson, Harry Douglas and Mark Mariani are all in the mix. Rookie Tajae Sharpe, who was terrific at Massachusetts, factors into the plans as well. Ryan Succop booted 29 of 31 extra points and 14 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 51 yards.

The Titans are still trying to put pieces in the right places. Minnesota took a major blow with the loss of Bridgewater. The Vikings still have one of the best running backs in the game in Peterson. That is worth something on its own merit. Minnesota may or may not bring Bradford in here. Why invest in a first round pick in Bradford if you’re going to play the backup? I give Minnesota the edge here. For a look at some of our other Week 1 picks, click here!

Minnesota is 7-0 ATS in their last seven on the road and 5-0 ATS in their last five on grass. Tennessee is 16-33-3 ATS in their last 52 at home and 15-35-4 ATS in their last 54 overall.

 

 

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