National Football League

Vikings at Titans: Preview and prediction

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

foxsports

What will Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer do this Sunday when his defending NFC North champions travel south to take on the Titans in Nashville?

In other words, will it be Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford for the Purple Gang this Sunday?

As of this writing, Zimmer had yet to decide on his starting quarterback for Week 1. Hill appeared to be the man in the spotlight after Teddy Bridgewater went down for the season, but the acquisition of Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles and his crash course on the playbook has made this intriguing.

Of course, the less Mike Mularkey and his team know about Minnesota’s plans the better for the Vikings. Stay tuned.

There are no such questions surrounding the Titans offense. Marcus Mariota begins his second season under center in Nashville and he’s now supported by running backs DeMarco Murray and 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The Tennessee ground attack has been substandard in recent seasons but that now changes in a big way. Tight end Delanie Walker remains the team’s best catcher but the wideout position was upgraded with the additions of free-agent Rishard Matthews (Miami Dolphins) and 2016 fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe.

You can look for an exceptional battle in the trenches as Minnesota’s deep and talented defensive front looks to get the best of a Titans offensive line featuring three first-round draft choices in tackles Taylor Lewan (2014) and rookie Jack Conklin (2016) and guard Chance Warmack (2013).

Murray and Henry will get their yards but Mariota could have his issues avoiding the Vikings’ pass rush. On the other hand, the Minnesota offense will lean on running back Adrian Peterson and make either Hill or Bradford as comfortable as possible. When it’s all said and done, Zimmer’s team squeaks out a victory on Blair Walsh’s fourth field goal of the afternoon.

Pick: Minnesota 19, Tennessee 17