Titans at Vikings Depth Chart Preview 2020
Sept 25, 2020 22:09:11 GMT -6
Funkytown and Purple Pain like this
Post by Danchat on Sept 25, 2020 22:09:11 GMT -6
After a pathetic blowout loss to the Colts, the Vikings limp into a tough matchup against a 2-0 Titans squad. Is there any hope the Vikings can pull themselves together and get a win? Or at least play a close game?
Line: Titans +2.5
Injury Report
Vikings
CB Dantzler Out
CB Hughes Out
HB Boone Questionable
CB Boyd Questionable
Titans
WR Brown Out
CB Jackson Out
LB Roberson Out
* My Thoughts *
Normally I wouldn't consider the Titans a dangerous team, as they've went 9-7 the past 4 years in a row, but something clicked last year when QB Marcus Mariota was benched for Ryan Tannehill. The offense exploded with Henry leading the way with a devastating running style, and with Tannehill in charge, the passing game became a real threat. HC Mike Vrabel improved his game and even pulled a massive upset against the #1 Baltimore Ravens. Ever since Mariota started his final game in Tennessee, the Titans have went 11-4, only losing to the Chiefs, Saints, Texans, and the Kyle Allen-led Panthers.
Tannehill was, by PFF's standards, the worst starting QB in 2018, but then rocketed to the 3rd best QB in 2019 (note the smaller than usual sample size). I used to be a doubter of Tannehill ever since the 2012 draft, but he has finally lived up to the expectations, delivering well-aimed deep balls as well as strong intermediate throws. Escaping the clutches of Adam Gase has done him wonders. Meanwhile, he's got Derrick Henry in his prime, who averaged 102.7 yards per game last year - and that's not including 446 yards in 3 playoff games. I don't know how the Vikings will stop him, especially since the Titans' O-line is very strong. Lewan, Saffold, and Jones have all had quality seasons and should have no problems. RG Nate Davis had a bad rookie year, and is susceptible to giving up many pressures. RT Dennis Kelly has mostly been a backup (1st rounder Isaiah Wilson is on the COVID list), but has been a top notch run blocker.
In the passing game, Tannehill will be missing his best target, A. J. Brown. He'll instead have the disappointing Corey Davis, who isn't a bad receiver, but is nowhere near to being worth the 5th overall pick in the draft. Still, Davis should get every chance to get open. Adam Humphries is a fine slot receiver, but the Titans barely used him last year. He isn't a good bet for getting much yardage after the catch. Kalif Raymond could get some usage as a deep threat, but the Titans love to use multiple TEs. With the Vikings' problems at LB, they might have trouble covering Jonnu Smith, who leads all TEs in fantasy points. Alie-Cox put up 100+ yards last week, and Smith could do the same. Two former Vikings, FB Blasingame and TE Pruitt, should get snaps as they block for Henry.
On defense, the Titans are fine. The Jaguars put up 30 points on them last week and nearly came back to win, so there is reason to believe that the Vikings could improve their offense. Their defensive line is nothing special, with DaQuan Jones filling in as a decent run stuffer and Simmons with some pass rushing upside. They will rely on their OLBs to generate pressure - Clowney may be the bigger name, but Harold Landry notched 9 sacks last year and is just as dangerous as a rusher. Clowney is a great run stopper, though. Jayon Brown is operating as a every-down LB, but PFF hasn't like his play thus far. Rashaan Evans had a bad sophomore year, and is now playing just 50% of their snaps. They also paid Beasley a lot of money to rotate in as a pass rusher, but his efficiency has been abysmal since 2018.
The Titans' pass defense is down their top CB, Adoree' Jackson, and will use Malcolm Butler as their top CB. He's not the same guy who was a strong #1 CB in New England, but he's still a capable playmaker. Johnathan Joseph is doing his best Terence Newman impression, still hanging around in the NFL at age 36 - and he's still better than any other CB on the Vikings' roster. 7th rounder Chris Jackson is currently manning the nickel spot, with 2nd rounder Kristian Fulton mixing in. Yes, a rookie out of Marshall is ahead of the highly touted prospect from LSU... odd. Meanwhile at safety, FS Kevin Byard is an underrated ball hawk who might be looking to get another interception off Cousins. SS Vacarro's play has tailed off as of late, as his coverage skills have dropped off.
It's worth noting that K Gostkowski has already missed 3 kicks this year. That could be an important factor in this matchup.
Prediction: Titans 31, Vikings 23
I have an odd feeling about this game... this feels like a trap game for the Titans. I have read that between 76% to 83% of bettors are putting money on the Titans, and while I'm no conspiracy theorist, I think we may see more flags thrown in favor of the Vikings. I also think there will be ample opportunity to move the ball on this defense... but the Titans' offense is running smoothly, and this Vikings defense can't stop anybody.
Any thoughts?
Line: Titans +2.5
Injury Report
Vikings
CB Dantzler Out
CB Hughes Out
HB Boone Questionable
CB Boyd Questionable
Titans
WR Brown Out
CB Jackson Out
LB Roberson Out
* My Thoughts *
Normally I wouldn't consider the Titans a dangerous team, as they've went 9-7 the past 4 years in a row, but something clicked last year when QB Marcus Mariota was benched for Ryan Tannehill. The offense exploded with Henry leading the way with a devastating running style, and with Tannehill in charge, the passing game became a real threat. HC Mike Vrabel improved his game and even pulled a massive upset against the #1 Baltimore Ravens. Ever since Mariota started his final game in Tennessee, the Titans have went 11-4, only losing to the Chiefs, Saints, Texans, and the Kyle Allen-led Panthers.
Tannehill was, by PFF's standards, the worst starting QB in 2018, but then rocketed to the 3rd best QB in 2019 (note the smaller than usual sample size). I used to be a doubter of Tannehill ever since the 2012 draft, but he has finally lived up to the expectations, delivering well-aimed deep balls as well as strong intermediate throws. Escaping the clutches of Adam Gase has done him wonders. Meanwhile, he's got Derrick Henry in his prime, who averaged 102.7 yards per game last year - and that's not including 446 yards in 3 playoff games. I don't know how the Vikings will stop him, especially since the Titans' O-line is very strong. Lewan, Saffold, and Jones have all had quality seasons and should have no problems. RG Nate Davis had a bad rookie year, and is susceptible to giving up many pressures. RT Dennis Kelly has mostly been a backup (1st rounder Isaiah Wilson is on the COVID list), but has been a top notch run blocker.
In the passing game, Tannehill will be missing his best target, A. J. Brown. He'll instead have the disappointing Corey Davis, who isn't a bad receiver, but is nowhere near to being worth the 5th overall pick in the draft. Still, Davis should get every chance to get open. Adam Humphries is a fine slot receiver, but the Titans barely used him last year. He isn't a good bet for getting much yardage after the catch. Kalif Raymond could get some usage as a deep threat, but the Titans love to use multiple TEs. With the Vikings' problems at LB, they might have trouble covering Jonnu Smith, who leads all TEs in fantasy points. Alie-Cox put up 100+ yards last week, and Smith could do the same. Two former Vikings, FB Blasingame and TE Pruitt, should get snaps as they block for Henry.
On defense, the Titans are fine. The Jaguars put up 30 points on them last week and nearly came back to win, so there is reason to believe that the Vikings could improve their offense. Their defensive line is nothing special, with DaQuan Jones filling in as a decent run stuffer and Simmons with some pass rushing upside. They will rely on their OLBs to generate pressure - Clowney may be the bigger name, but Harold Landry notched 9 sacks last year and is just as dangerous as a rusher. Clowney is a great run stopper, though. Jayon Brown is operating as a every-down LB, but PFF hasn't like his play thus far. Rashaan Evans had a bad sophomore year, and is now playing just 50% of their snaps. They also paid Beasley a lot of money to rotate in as a pass rusher, but his efficiency has been abysmal since 2018.
The Titans' pass defense is down their top CB, Adoree' Jackson, and will use Malcolm Butler as their top CB. He's not the same guy who was a strong #1 CB in New England, but he's still a capable playmaker. Johnathan Joseph is doing his best Terence Newman impression, still hanging around in the NFL at age 36 - and he's still better than any other CB on the Vikings' roster. 7th rounder Chris Jackson is currently manning the nickel spot, with 2nd rounder Kristian Fulton mixing in. Yes, a rookie out of Marshall is ahead of the highly touted prospect from LSU... odd. Meanwhile at safety, FS Kevin Byard is an underrated ball hawk who might be looking to get another interception off Cousins. SS Vacarro's play has tailed off as of late, as his coverage skills have dropped off.
It's worth noting that K Gostkowski has already missed 3 kicks this year. That could be an important factor in this matchup.
Prediction: Titans 31, Vikings 23
I have an odd feeling about this game... this feels like a trap game for the Titans. I have read that between 76% to 83% of bettors are putting money on the Titans, and while I'm no conspiracy theorist, I think we may see more flags thrown in favor of the Vikings. I also think there will be ample opportunity to move the ball on this defense... but the Titans' offense is running smoothly, and this Vikings defense can't stop anybody.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.