5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans – Week 3
By Chris Schad
Titans won’t miss Brown
Looking at the state of the Titans offense, there isn’t too much to be intimidated about in the passing game. Ryan Tannehill was destroyed the last time he visited U.S. Bank Stadium and with A.J. Brown and Corey Davis both managing injuries, there’s a chance the Vikings could catch a breather through the air.
If Minnesota thinks Tennessee isn’t an offensive threat, they would be horribly wrong. The engine of the Titans offense lives in the backfield as Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing in 2019.
Coming off a playoff campaign where he basically ran Tennessee all the way into the AFC Championship, Henry has picked up where he left off ranking second in rushing yards (200) this season behind Packers running back Aaron Jones (234).
In addition to Henry’s work on the ground, the Vikings could have trouble with Titans tight end Jonnu Smith. With Brown not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, Smith could be the top target for Tennessee on Sunday. This would be bad news for Minnesota who gave up 111 yards on six targets to Colts tight end Moe Allie-Cox in Week 2 in addition to just losing both Anthony Barr and Troy Dye due to injury.
The sum of all parts for the Titans is enough to move the ball against a banged-up Vikings defense, meaning that Sunday could be another long game.