The Minnesota Vikings have lost two games this season, both against good offenses led by strong quarterbacks. Last week, they escaped the Jacksonville Jaguars largely because the defense made Mac Jones look like, well, Mac Jones. They have a similar opportunity in Tennessee this weekend.
There’s Another QB for Vikings to Hammer
Minnesota heads to Nissan Stadium as 6.5-point favorites over the Titans. Tennessee is not a good team, and that largely falls on the shoulders of its quarterback, Will Levis. He has won just four of the 15 games that he has started during his NFL career to date. This season, the Titans are just 1-5 when he is under center.
Levis has made some strides as a passer. His 68% completion rating is 10% above what it was a year ago. That said, he has completed significantly too many passes to the other team. His seven touchdowns are virtually wiped out by an equal seven interceptions. The decision-making isn’t there, and he’s averaging less than 150 yards per game.
Brian Flores has shown that his defense can play at a very high level. It is also possible for them to be beaten through the air. Mac Jones didn’t take advantage of that, and Levis shouldn’t be able to exploit it either. Flores will have his secondary locked in, but it’s the guys in the box who can make the biggest difference.
The Vikings got back to their sack ways on Sunday and need to bring Levis down a handful of times this weekend. The insertion of Blake Cashman back into the lineup certainly was noticeable, and Ivan Pace Jr. is another high-quality player in the middle. The more the linebackers and defensive line can control the offense, the better.
Unlike last weekend, this should not be a close game. Sam Darnold turned the ball over at a breakneck pace against the Jaguars and did so at the end of sustained drives. Minnesota needs its quarterback to make better decisions this time, and the result should only widen the gap on the scoreboard.
It’s never easy to win on the road in the NFL, but it helps when you’re playing lackluster competition. Will Levis is not a good NFL quarterback, and there’s no reason that Minnesota should allow him any opportunity to believe otherwise.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.