By Alec Lewis, Joe Rexrode and Chris Licata
The Minnesota Vikings, led by a Sam Darnold bounce-back effort and a ferocious pass rush, put the clamps on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, winning 23-13 to improve their record to 8-2. Outside of a 98-yard touchdown allowed to Tennessee wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine midway through the third quarter, Brian Flores’ defense was the story of the day.
Minnesota sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis five times as Tennessee couldn’t get out of its own way in crucial moments. The Titans were also marred by penalties — 13 in total — and dropped to 2-8 on the year.
Meanwhile, Kevin O’Connell’s club kept pace in the competitive NFC North following wins by the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. They’ll finish a three-game road trip next Sunday with the first of two divisional battles against Chicago.
Swept the AFC South 🧹 pic.twitter.com/MyuiIbjzLa
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 17, 2024
Darnold stepped up, avoided tons of pressure
The main Vikings storyline entering Sunday’s game revolved around Darnold’s play. He had thrown five interceptions in the last two weeks. Not only did he not throw one against the Titans, but his play was also a primary reason that the Vikings won the game. His numbers — 20-for-32 for 246 yards and two touchdowns — don’t do justice to his impact. The Titans’ defensive front created pressure throughout the majority of the outing. Specifically, the interior of the Vikings’ offensive line struggled to contain Titans interior defenders Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat.
Vikings running backs ran for 52 yards on 20 carries. The lack of rushing success pushed the Vikings into long downs and distances on later downs. The Titans’ pass rush pinned its ears back, applying pressure on Darnold throughout the entire afternoon. In the first half, Darnold maneuvered tight quarters, both scrambling for extra yardage and placing himself windows into finding receivers downfield.
The Vikings turned the ball over once, a fumbled pitch early in the game, but the Vikings will take just the one, considering Minnesota entered the game as one of the most turnover-prone offenses in the NFL. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Titans are melting down when it comes to penalties and pass protection
Right tackle continues to be a nightmare for Tennessee, with Nicholas Petit-Frere back in the starting lineup and showing in no uncertain terms why he lost his job in the first place. Right tackle Isaiah Prince was better, other than multiple illegal formation penalties. Those were costly and part of a whopping 13 flags on the Titans for 91 yards. That speaks to a discipline problem.
However, it should be noted that two Vikings touchdowns were made possible by questionable calls, a Mike Brown unnecessary roughness in the end zone and Jarvis Brownlee’s illegal contact while pressing Justin Jefferson. Titans coach Brian Callahan had to be restrained on the first one and received his own flag for that. For the record, CBS color analyst Adam Archuleta was nearly as incredulous as Callahan on both calls. — Joe Rexrode, Titans senior writer
Will Levis is making undeniable strides in a flawed offense
Levis made some of the best throws of his young professional career against the Vikings, highlighted by a spectacular drop over the top to Westbrook-Ikhine in the face of a blitz in his own end zone – resulting in a 98-yard touchdown, tying the franchise record for longest scoring pass. Levis had another gorgeous touchdown bomb to Calvin Ridley taken off the board because of an illegal formation with Prince lining up behind the line of scrimmage – one of several gaffes from one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
98-YARD TD! 😱😱 Will Levis takes a shot out of the end zone and it pays off for the @Titans!
📺: #MINvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/0o5Uj7RZ9q— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
The Vikings had five sacks and hit Levis nine times, but he managed to finish 17 for 30 for 295 yards and the touchdown. He threw one pick, in the waning moments of desperation. He wasn’t perfect, missing Westbrook-Ikhine on a critical third down for what could have been another touchdown. But those numbers against that confusing Flores defense? That’s extremely impressive. — Rexrode
Vikings limited self-inflicted wounds
One of the central differences in Sunday’s game was the amount of penalties signaled for each team. The Titans were whistled for 13 penalties, amounting to 91 yards. The Vikings, meanwhile, were called for two penalties tallying 25 yards. The penalties occurred on pivotal plays, too. In the first half, Callahan was finger-pointing at the refs like a baseball manager following an unnecessary roughness call in the fourth down of a Vikings pass toward receiver Jordan Addison in the end zone.
In the second half, just as Tennessee snatched some of the momentum, Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee was dinged for illegal contact on Jefferson, who also broke the NFL record for the most receiving yards by a player in his first five seasons.
The play, which happened on a third-and-11, resulted in a first down. The Vikings later scored their final touchdown on the drive. Tennessee’s chances were always going to be long, but the Vikings’ lack of self-inflicted wounds contributed to Sunday’s result. — Lewis
Required reading
- NFL Week 11 live updates: Ravens-Steelers, Chiefs-Bills, predictions, odds, league scoreboard, inactives
- What does the Vikings’ financial future look like? Contracts, salary cap and more
- Did Jaguars find formula for slowing down Justin Jefferson and Vikings offense?
- Best 2025 NFL Draft options for teams vying for No. 1 overall pick
(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
