Fri Sep 26 13:55:57 2008

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Titans Welcome Vikings, Go for 4-0

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(Sports Network) - The Tennessee Titans franchise has had great previous success when starting a season with three straight wins. Who knows what could happen with a 4-0 start?

The Titans try to begin a season with four consecutive wins for the first time in franchise history this Sunday in what could be a defensive struggle against the Minnesota Vikings at LP Field.

Tennessee rode a strong defensive effort to the club's third-ever 3-0 start. The Titans also began the 1991 and 1999 campaigns with three straight wins, and went to the postseason both times. That includes reaching the Super Bowl following the '99 season, when the team narrowly lost to the St. Louis Rams.

The Titans, who have won six straight regular-season games dating back to last year, have yet to allow more than 12 points in a game this season while beating Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Houston. The squad is ranked first in the league in points allowed (9.7 ppg) and third in total defense at 240.3 yards per game.

Tennessee recorded a 31-12 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, holding them to 171 passing yards. Quarterback Kerry Collins made his second start for Tennessee and threw for 189 yards with a touchdown pass as he continues to play in the place of Vince Young, who is out due to knee and hamstring ailments as well as some off-the-field personal issues.

Like the Titans, the Vikings have had to go to a backup plan at quarterback. With Tarvaris Jackson ineffective through two losses to begin the season, Minnesota got into the win column with Gus Frerotte under center after a 20-10 win over Carolina at home on Sunday.

Frerotte threw for 204 yards while completing a touchdown pass in his first start with the club since 2003. He turned in a quarterback rating of 77.1, while Jackson's rating through two games was just 64.8.

Despite being limited in practice because of a hamstring injury, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson was able to start and totaled 77 rushing yards on 17 carries. Peterson participated on a limited basis this past week, so he should be good to go for this one.

While Peterson will face a stiff challenge against the Titans' defense, the Vikings have been doing a good job stopping opponents as well. Minnesota is ranked fourth in the league against the rush at 70.3 yards allowed per game and seventh in total defense at 280.7 YPG.

SERIES HISTORY

The Vikings have a 7-3 lead in their all-time series with the Titans/Oilers, and have won four consecutive matchups dating back to the 1995 season. Minnesota prevailed by a 20-3 margin at home in the most recent head-to-head, which took place in 2004. The Vikings also won in their only visit to Tennessee, 26-16, during the 1998 campaign. The Titans/Oilers franchise last defeated Minnesota in a 1992 matchup at the Metrodome, and last claimed a home win in the series in 1986.

Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is 0-4 against Minnesota all-time. The Vikings' Brad Childress will be meeting both Fisher and the Vikings for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE VIKINGS HAVE THE BALL

Minnesota had apparently had enough of Jackson, who completed just 50.8 percent of his passes through two games while totaling 308 passing yards. Frerotte will get his second straight start and will try to throw at least two touchdown passes in a third straight start versus the Titans. Of course, having Peterson in the backfield helps. The sophomore back is second in the NFL with 340 yards on the ground, and that total set a new club record for most rushing yards through the first three games of the season. Peterson and Chester Taylor (81 rushing yards) have combined to give the Vikings the fifth- best rush attack in the league (161.7 ypg), though the fleet-footed Jackson has had some part in that. Through the air, Frerotte connected with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (6 receptions) for a 34-yard touchdown strike last week, while wide receiver Bernard Berrian (6 receptions) made three catches for 79 yards. The Vikings played without wideout Sidney Rice (2 receptions, 1 TD) last weekend due to a sprained ligament in his knee, and he is also questionable for this weekend. On the offensive line, left tackle Artis Hicks has been dealing with an elbow ailment but hasn't missed any time.

Although the Titans' third-best pass defense (151.3 ypg) should give Frerotte all he can handle, the up-front defenders for Tennessee will have their hands full with Peterson. The unit should be up to the task, as the Titans are allowing just 89 rushing yards per game so far. However, it is the secondary that is carrying the unit. Tennessee has picked off at least two passes in each of its first three games, leads the league with seven total interceptions and is tops in the AFC with 11 sacks. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan (15 tackles, 4 INT) has picked off a pass in four straight games, including last year's playoffs, and last week returned an interception 99 yards for a score, the longest return in franchise history. Finnegan ended the game with six tackles, as did safety Chris Hope (18 tackles). Safety Michael Griffin (15 tackles, 3 INT), meanwhile, had a career-high two interceptions in the win. Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (9 tackles, 3 sacks), Jevon Kearse (9 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (12 tackles, 2.5 sacks) each had a sack in the victory as well. Linebacker Keith Bulluck (11 tackles), who had five tackles, started his 100th straight game, the longest active streak on the team and fourth-longest among current NFL linebackers. On the injury front, corner Nick Harper (16 tackles) is battling a thigh ailment and is questionable for the game.

WHEN THE TITANS HAVE THE BALL

Collins (378 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) has done just enough so far for the Titans to win, posting a quarterback rating of 90.5 while completing 60.4 percent of his passes. He went over 35,000 career passing yards in the win, and has been helped by Tennessee's strong ground game that ranks sixth in the league. LenDale White (148 rushing yards, 4 TD) has scored in all three games so far this year, posting a pair of touchdowns in last Sunday's win. Rookie Chris Johnson (276 rushing yards), meanwhile, leads all AFC backs in rushing yards on the young season. Wideout Justin McCareins led all Titans versus the Texans with four catches for 90 yards, while tight end Bo Scaife (10 receptions, 1 TD) added three catches for 26 yards with a score. The Titans were without wideout Justin Gage (7 receptions, 1 TD) due to a groin injury, but he did not show up on the team's early-week injury report. Instead, it was McCareins who was unable to practice because of a groin injury. If he is unable to go, that should mean more looks for wideout Brandon Jones, who made two catches for 21 yards versus Houston.

The Vikings limited the Panthers to just 47 rushing yards in Week 3 and were led by linebacker E.J. Henderson (23 tackles, 1 sack) and his game-high 12 tackles. Fellow linebacker Chad Greenway (23 tackles, 1 sack) added nine stops and a sack, one of five by Minnesota on the evening. The five quarterback takedowns increased the Vikings' season total to seven. The Vikings' defense got in on the scoring act, as corner Antoine Winfield (14 tackles, 1 INT) took one of two Minnesota fumble recoveries 19 yards for a score. He also had a sack and two tackles, while defensive tackle Kevin Williams (12 tackles) added two sacks. Williams also had a sack and forced a fumble in his last meeting versus the Titans. Defensive end Jared Allen (8 tackles) had a sack as well last Sunday, giving him two in three games with Minnesota. Safety Madieu Williams, who joined Minnesota as a free agent prior to the season, has yet to play in a game with his new club due to a neck ailment and will be unlikely to suit up on Sunday. Defensive end Ray Edwards (shoulder) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (knee) were both limited in practice this week.

FANTASY FOCUS

The Vikings offense doesn't offer a lot of options outside of Peterson, though even his value takes a hit as long as he shows up on the club's injury report with "hamstring" next to his name. He still managed decent production last weekend and is a must-start even against a tough Tennessee lineup. Unlike last week, owners shouldn't have to sit in front of their computers watching the inactive list on Sunday, unless Peterson has a setback in practice. Minnesota's defense should also get a look this week, as the Titans strength is running the ball, an area the Vikings excel at shutting down.

That makes both White and Johnson risky starts, though with Tennessee's passing game what it is, they should both get a bunch of carries regardless. Johnson has yet to score but offers bigger-play potential of the duo, while White is finding the end zone at a good pace so far. Both should be in lineups this Sunday, but both come with some risk. The Titans' secondary could have another big game versus a lackluster Minnesota passing attack, but if Peterson can control the tempo, the unit is in trouble and could yield a chunk of points.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Titans enter this game just slight favorites despite being undefeated and at home. That should tell you something. The Titans have been carried by an outstanding secondary so far, but the Vikings are going to put the ball in the hands of Peterson and Taylor to put pressure on Tennessee's front seven. That makes the switch to Frerotte much more meaningful, as he is more likely to find holes in the secondary, should Tennessee creep up to stop the run, than Jackson. Though the Vikings are just 1-2, the Titans represent a good matchup for Minnesota, which should leave town at the .500 mark. The Vikings made a quarterback switch so they wouldn't have to rely on Peterson as much, but that is exactly what they will and should do this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Vikings 21, Titans 13