The Tennessee Titans are coming off another loss — this time it was against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Will Levis returned from his shoulder injury and was solid, but the Chargers were more physically and technically sound in every facet of the game. This week, the 2-7 Titans will take on the 7-2 Minnesota Vikings in a game that features two strong defenses and quarterbacks that are turnover-prone. Unfortunately, for Titans fans, the Vikings are a better team.
Still, for Titans fans, there are some reasons for optimism in Week 11, and here are three of them.
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Darnolds’ turnovers
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold started the season on fire and looked like a new player. What a difference a few weeks make. Darnold has reverted back to his erratic ways and was a major reason why the Vikings were almost upset on the road in Jacksonville. He threw three interceptions against the Jags and five in the past two games. The Titans have a better defense than the Jaguars and could cause problems for Darnold.
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Kicking game
If there is one area where the Titans’ special teams are not a disaster, and they have a clear advantage in this game, it is at kicker. Nick Folk did see his perfect season come to an end, but he is still 12-of-13 on field goals with a long of 53 yards and 17-of-17 on extra points. This contrasts sharply with Vikings kicker John Parker Romo, who will be kicking in only his second game. He did go 4-of-4 against Jacksonville, but if the game is on the line, my money would be on Folk.
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Schedule
The Vikings are traveling to Nashville a week after traveling to Jacksonville and a week before returning home to take on their division rivals: the Chicago Bears. With the Bears in a tailspin, the Vikings could be looking past the Titans toward an opportunity to kick the Bears when they’re down. It’s not much, but the Vikings squeaked by the Jaguars a week ago and the Titans are a more balanced team.