The Minnesota Vikings (1-1) and Tennessee Titans (1-1) face off on Friday, Aug. 22, in NFL Preseason Week 3. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game will broadcast live on CBS.
The Vikings are -115 moneyline favorites and the Titans are -105 underdogs. The game total is set at 37.5 (-115o / -107u).
The Vikings and Titans are breaking in new quarterbacks, but only one will suit up on Friday night. The NFL draft’s top overall pick, Cam Ward, has shown the flashes that made him the top selection, and by all accounts, he has already taken the reins as one of the team’s leaders. However, for as much future success you project for Ward, I do not believe he will have a major influence on this contest.
Let's get into my Vikings vs Titans predictions and NFL picks for Friday.
Vikings vs Titans Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -105 | 37.5 -110o / -110u | +165 |
| Titans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -115 | 37.5 -110o / -110u | -200 |
Vikings vs Titans NFL Preseason Week 3 Preview
Cam Ward is 7-of-15 passing in the preseason, but the stats don’t tell the entire story.
He has already shown poise and a huge arm that can push the ball downfield with accuracy. With additions to the offensive line, the Titans' offense may be undervalued as a unit going into the regular season. This is strictly a projection, however, since we have not seen the team as a whole be efficient offensively.
Tennessee is averaging 3.4 yards per carry on 53 rushes through two preseason games. The Titans have yet to establish the line of scrimmage, and with backups likely taking a majority of snaps in this game, it’s fair to expect them to struggle up front once again.
Minnesota traded veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the Jets this week, but undrafted rookie free agent Elijah Williams bolsters the depth on the inside. Through two exhibition games, Williams is the Vikings’ highest graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus.
Offensively for the Vikings, we will likely get an extended look at surprise QB3 candidate Max Brosmer. The numbers may not jump off the page for the rookie from the University of Minnesota, but the drumbeat from training camp has been deafening.
Brosmer received an abundance of reps at practice this week, even leading a competitive two-minute drill that eventually ended with a trip to the end zone. If you listen to beat reporters who cover the Vikings on a daily basis, they seem to have quite the level of confidence that Brosmer will lock in his roster spot by performing well on Friday.
The third preseason game has historically been one that most resembles the first half of a regular-season contest, often referred to as the dress rehearsal. However, with the fourth preseason game non-existent, this game has become more crucial in evaluating the depth chart further down.
The lack of confidence in the depth toward the back end of the Titans’ roster has some speculating they could pick up as many as five players off waivers to fill out their 53-man roster. This is just another note that gives me pause in trying to handicap whether the players playing in the second half are deserving of being deemed favorites.
The Titans have been favored in all three exhibition games. In Week 1, they managed just seven points, losing by 22 in Tampa Bay.
Tennessee followed that up by failing to cover as road favorites in Atlanta despite having a pick-six go its way. There are plenty of question marks remaining about this roster in totality.
Vikings vs Titans Prediction, Betting Analysis
Short road underdogs have historically been a solid bet to make in recent years. This season has been no different, as underdogs of +1 to +2.5 on the road are 5-1 against the spread this preseason.
Additionally, the fact that games can tie at the end of regulation also devalues short favorites of less than a field goal.
I will continue backing this trend and take the points with the visiting Vikings on Friday night.
My Pick: Vikings +4
Spread
My pick for this game is the Vikings to cover.
Moneyline
I'm staying away from either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no pick for the game total.
