In Sunday’s inter-conference matchup, the Tennessee Titans were in Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Titans came in at 2-0 on the heels of a shootout victory last week over the Jacksonville Jaguars and they were looking to stay perfect for September. The Vikings meanwhile came in at 0-2 after losses to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, and Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts last week.
The Titans were set to have the services of offseason acquisition, linebacker Vic Beasley for the first time this season. This could only help a defensive unit that surrendered 30 points last week. Offensively they would once again be without A.J. Brown.
Vikings receiver and former Titan Tajae Sharpe was hoping for a heavy workload in his first revenge game against his former team. Quarterback Kirk Cousins would definitely accept that as the Vikings passing offense has struggled through the first two games.
This would also mark the ninth career head to head between Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan and former Jaguars and current Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
First Half
The Titans got the ball first. The drive featured a 44-yard reception by wide receiver Kalif Raymond. After the drive stalled, Stephen Gostkowski made a 39-yard field goal attempt. Titans 3-0
A third-down sack by Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons forced a Vikings three and out. Tennessee went three and out after a mishandled third-down snap. A fumble by Dalvin Cook recovered by Titans’ Rashaan Evans led to a 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. Titans 6-0
The Vikings would take the lead after Cook scored on a 39-yard rush. Vikings 7-6
The Titans’ ensuing drive ended after a Tannehill pass was intercepted by Harrison Smith in the end zone. Ten plays later Cousins found Adam Theilen for a touchdown from 16 yards out. Vikings 14-6
Tennessee’s next drive stalled at the Minnesota 12-yard line. Gostkowski would be good on a 30-yard field goal attempt. Vikings 14-9
The Vikings were held to a Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal. Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler‘s back to back pass reflections to keep the Vikings out of the end zone. Vikings 17-9
A failed two-minute drill by Ryan Tannehill sent the teams to their locker rooms.
Vikings 17-9 Halftime
Second Half
A pick-six by Jonathan Joseph was negated by a penalty for a crackback block on Jadeveon Clowney. The Titans went three and out. The Vikings next drive ended after Bailey was wide right on a 49-yard field goal attempt. Five plays later Gostkowski was good from 51 yards out. Vikings 17-12
Minnesota responded with a two-play 73-yard touchdown drive, 71 on a touchdown reception by rookie receiver, Justin Jefferson. Vikings 24-12
Derrick Henry scored from a yard out to cap off an eight-play 75-yard drive. Vikings 24-19
After the Titans defense forced a three and out, Henry’s second one-yard touchdown run capped off a three-play drive. The big strike was a 61-yard reception by Kalif Raymond. The two-point attempt was no good. Titans 25-24
The Vikings responded with a 10 play 75-yard drive. Cousins found tight end, Kyle Rudolph, on a three-yard strike. The two-point attempt was no good. Vikings 30-25
A 54-yard field goal by Gostkowski was good. Vikings 30-28
The Titans forced a punt. Gostkowski would cap off the drive with a 55-yard field goal. Titans 31-30
For the third straight game, the defense made a stand to close out a game. Titans 31-30 Final
Stats
Tannehill was 23-37 for 321 yards with one interception. Cousins was 16-27 for 251 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception
Henry finished with 26 carries for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cook had 181 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
Raymond led the Titans with three receptions for 118 yards. While Jefferson led the Vikings with seven catches for 175 yards and a touchdown.
Highlights
See you later ✌️@JJettas2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 27, 2020
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The win moves Tennessee to 3-0. They host Ben Roethlisberger and the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. The Vikings fall to 0-3 and travel to Houston to take on the 0-3 Texans next week.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
