National Football League

Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans: Week 1 review and grades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here is a review with grades from the Minnesota Vikings game against the Tennessee Titans, with a peek ahead to week 2 versus the Green Bay Packers.

The Minnesota Vikings theme for their week 1 matchup with the Titans, “Do your job”, was executed brilliantly. The game was by far flawless, but a lot of grit and a little flash went a long ways, and the Vikings came out on top 25-16.

Well, this was a game that gave Vikings fans mixed emotions throughout, and going in to halftime down 10-0 began to spark memories of last seasons “Beating in the Bay” to open the season. Upon further review, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it initially seemed, with Blair Walsh missing his first 2 field goal opportunities of the season and leaving us with a donut going in to halftime.

If Mike Mularky can teach Mariota and the rest of his offense to master the super slick transitioning on the line of scrimmage, where he moved and slid tight ends and running backs to wide receiver positions and all over across the line of scrimmage that team is going to become a difficult one to cover.

In the first half of the game that style of offense kept our defense on its heels. The defense was still firm allowing only the 1 touchdown in the first half on a particularly amazing solo effort from DeMarco Murray.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) passes the ball with defensive pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Performance

As a whole this was actually a very good game for the Minnesota Vikings, they are who we thought they were. The problem is the Titans knew who they were going to be with Shaun Hill at quarterback and they had our offense schemed perfectly. The offense did its job by giving the Vikings multiple scoring opportunities, sustaining drives and giving Blair Walsh 6 field goal attempts of which he converted 4.

Generally when you hear of a team with 0 offensive touchdowns, 65 total rushing yards, a QB rating of 77, and 2 missed field goals one would assume that would be the losing team. That would be until you tell them about the masterful defense that in the second half returned an interception and a fumble for a touchdown, that when combined with 4 made field goals is the recipe for a week 1 victory.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Sorensen (4) prepares to take the snap against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In my preseason review I brought up keys to the season and here is how we fared in those categories:

The QB situation – Grade: C

Shaun Hill came in as the starter and did what was expected of him. He made no mistakes, pardon a couple of errant throws, kept possession of the ball but was unable to capitalize on the fact that the Titans defense loaded the box for the majority of the first 3 quarters. The Titans stood firm defending the run and left a lot open in the secondary. It was depressing to me that the Vikings had Laquon Treadwell active but he wasn’t utilized. He would have given Hill a big body receiver and would have had many good looks but that was something the Vikings left on the table.

The O-Line performance – Grade: B+

Even with the Titans stacking the box the offensive line held true to form and kept Hill on his feet for the whole game. It was a very strong showing, they minimized pre-snap penalties and had a very strong game. It was a tall task trying to open holes in a running game that never materialized, but without the consistent passing attack required to back defenders off the line I would have to say that they were a huge strength and will need to continue to perform at that high of a level until a passing attack is established.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson – Grade: C

In this opening act, AP became more of a decoy. He was pulling in the defense rather than being the beastly weapon we were all hoping for. 33 yards on 19 carries is very close in line to the opening performance in last years aforementioned debacle in San Francisco. With Teddy being out and the QB situation in flux, it’s not possible to answer if this is rust not shaken off from lack of preseason reps or if it was solely based on the Titans trying to see if Hill could sling the ball around. AP looked solid in his pass protections, held on to the football, and was the best decoy in the league for week 1.

The ball hawking defense – Grade: A+

With a smile on my face I can say that they earned this title, the hard way. They had to step up and carry the fans hopes on their shoulders and did so in a way that was dominating and intimidating. They were a penalty away from a second interception, and looked impenetrable in the second half, allowing DeMarco Murray a garbage time touchdown, his second of the game. The Vikings kept up with the crafty Titans offense and showed why they truly are the heart and soul of the Minnesota Vikings.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) kicks the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive back Valentino Blake (47) defends at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

Special teams – Grade: B

Not previously mentioned but now a point of emphasis, lost in the wake of 2 missed field goals and a missed extra point is the fact that Blair Walsh was responsible for 13 of the 25 points scored by Minnesota.

Other Vikings missed on 3 or more plays that they were responsible for and nobody can claim to be 100% perfect at what they do either. It’s frustrating, given Vikings history, but Walsh is an excellent kicker. He will right the ship and the Vikings are going to need his leg a lot so as fans we need to support him. His kick offs were great and the rest of special teams performed admirably.

The fans – Grade: A+

On the television broadcast the chants of “Lets go Vikings” could be heard loud and clear. Even in Nashville, the purple faithful made their presence known. Even on the road our fans are the loudest!

Overall Grade against the Titans: B

Next: Shifting the focus to the Packers

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talk following the game at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 vs the Green Bay Packers

The focus shifts to next week and the inaugural game at US Bank Stadium is upon us and so is a familiar foe, the Green Bay Packers. If the game plays out in similar fashion to this week, the results will not be the same. If Minnesota cannot execute a passing attack, not allowing the running game to come to fruition will be the Vikings undoing.

Stefon Diggs did go over the coveted 100 yard mark and Kyle Rudolph provided a nice little outlet for Hill so there is some basis for hope. It just needs to be better. The hopes of Vikings fans cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the Vikings defense for that is too much weight to bear. The Vikings coaches know what the team needs to do to be prepared, so it’s up to the Vikings to execute again. I stand firm in my pick: Vikings 27 Packers 24.

What were your grades for this game? What were you most or least impressed with against the Titans? And what are your thoughts and expectations when the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers next week? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.