Week 3 of the NFL Preseason is here, with just 17 days until the action begins to truly count in the standings. There are four preseason matchups across tonight’s slate. Kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Tennessee Titans will host the Minnesota Vikings. Both these teams enter with a 1-1 preseason record thus far.
Looking at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Titans enter as 4.5-point favorites and -225 on the Moneyline. The Vikings hold +185 odds of getting the outright win, with the game total set at 37.5 points.
Vikings vs. Titans prediction, pick
Vikings Preview
The Vikings are planning on resting J.J. McCarthy tonight, leaving Sam Howell, Max Brosmer, and Brett Rypien as the quarterback options. Minnesota rested all its starters in the past preseason game and is expected to do the same tonight. They most recently were defeated by the Patriots 20-12 in Week 2 of the preseason, but took down the Houston Texans 20-10 in the preseason opener. In the past loss, with the starters resting, they only tallied 273 yards of total offense and turned the ball over twice. Defensively, they have been in form. The Vikings rank fourth in points allowed this preaseason and are second in rushing defense. During Kevin O’Connell’s tenure, the Vikings are 4-7 straight up and 5-6 against the spread in the preseason.
Titans Preview
First overall pick Cam Ward is expected to play some snaps for the Titans as he settles into the NFL transition. The Miami product went 5-for-8 passing for 67 yards in the preseason opener and 2-for-7 for 42 yards in Game 2. Brandon Allen, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Seimian will likely take up the remainder of the quarterback snaps. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated Tennessee 29-7 in the preseason opener, but the Titans bounced back with a 23-20 win over the Falcons in the previous game. It took a 23-yard field goal from Joey Slye to put them ahead with 9:03 left to play, and they clung onto the lead from there. Based on the past two games, there should not be an expectation of Ward seeing much gameplay. Turnovers have been an issue for Tennessee, with five tallied across the opening two playoff games. Brian Callahan is 4-1 straight up, but 2-3 against the spread in his preseason tenure.
Best Bet
Tennessee leaning on their starters more gives them an early advantage in this game, but Minnesota is the deeper team on paper. Both of these teams have had some struggles scoring touchdowns, and this feels like the best way to bet tonight. While my lean is toward Tennessee covering the 3.5-point spread, I am backing the under of 37.5. Both of the Vikings’ preseason games have gone under this total to this point, while the Titans are 1-1 against the 37.5 number. They combined for 43 points in the game that went over, but it took the Falcons scoring 17 points in the third quarter and 20 overall for it to be the case. None of Sam Howell, Max Brosmer, Brett Rypien, Brandon Allen, Tim Boyle, or Trevor Seimian strikes particular fear into consistent offenses occurring. The stakes are just as high on the defensive side of the ball, as each player looks to cement their roster spot and will be playing with this type of purpose. Expect it to be a struggle to put points on the board in this matchup. Overs have been hot across the preseason overall, with 10 of the 16 games last week going over, but these teams have not been involved in the trend. With averages of 16 and 15 points per game for the two teams, expect this matchup to fall under the 37.5 point total. Both these sides have been too raw offensively with some offensive line struggles, and there have been no changes to expect this will change.
